South China Sea

During a meeting with ASEAN counterparts, Li Qiang implied that China and rival claimants could address outstanding disputes without the involvement of outside powers.

The move follows an incident last month in which a Chinese vessel forcibly prevented the resupply of Filipino forces on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.

Beijing's “new standard” map depicts the country's maximalist claim over nearly the entire South China Sea.

The atoll in the South China Sea has been subject to what some observers have characterized as a Chinese blockade.

Enrique Manalo's comments come at a time of growing tension over Second Thomas Shoal, a Philippine-occupied atoll in the Spratly Islands.

The announcement comes at a time of increased Chinese assertiveness in disputed waters.

This is the second time this year that Huang has been summoned following stand-offs in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard claims that a Chinese vessel used a high-powered water cannon in order to prevent the resupply of the Philippine forces stationed on Second Thomas Shoal.

The resolution, spearheaded by a critic of President Marcos, comes amid growing frictions in disputed waters.

The South China Sea islands were of little interest to both European imperialists and local empires – until they became viewed as a tool in geostrategic and nationalistic posturing.

The Philippine leader did not mention China by name, but his comments were a clear reference to the growing frictions in the South China Sea.

The move followed a decision by Vietnamese censors to bar the distribution of the film for allegedly depicting the Chinese maritime claim.