South China Sea

For African countries, tension and instability in East Asia might seem far away, but its potential to adversely affect African development ambitions is real.

Two Philippine ships headed for Second Thomas Shoal with food supplies for the Filipino forces there were blasted with water by Chinese coast guard vessels.

A dangerous incident has repercussions in Asian waters.

There’s no love lost between Philippine communists and the Chinese Communist Party.

China’s actions in the South China Sea are no longer just a regional issue.

In Asia’s maritime heartland, all the ingredients of a global cataclysm are conspiring against the post-Cold War period of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The move follows strong condemnations from senior ministers, including an expletive laden tweet from Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has asked the Philippines to respect what it calls Chinese sovereignty in the disputed waters.

If it eventuates, the $3.6 billion deal would represent the largest-ever arms transfer between the two nations.

This is the second time this year the strike group has entered the contentious body of water.

China’s maritime militia is once again at the center of a crisis in the South China Sea. What now?