Tensions in the South China Sea escalated Saturday, Sept 28, as China conducted military drills near a disputed area while the U.S. and its Asia-Pacific allies carried out joint naval exercises nearby. China’s military announced that it had conducted routine early warning and reconnaissance exercises, and patrols around Scarborough Shoal, a contested atoll within the…

The Philippine Navy condemned recent actions by Chinese fighter jets over the disputed Scarborough Shoal as “coercive, aggressive and deceptive.” During an incident on Aug. 8, Chinese aircraft reportedly dropped flares dangerously close to a Philippine Air Force patrol plane, escalating tensions over the strategic South China Sea territory, which both nations claim. Philippine Rear…

The United States, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines began a two-day joint air and naval exercise Wednesday, Aug. 7, in the South China Sea to reinforce international law amid China’s territorial expansions. The exercises, which are occurring within Manila’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, aim to ensure free navigation and enhance coordination among the allied…

The Philippines is taking steps to ensure China does not dominate the South China Sea by building its first BrahMos anti-ship missile base aimed at the contested waters. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies appears to show the development of the base, which includes a high bay for maintenance and testing, as well as a separate…

Video captured on April 30 by the Philippines Coast Guard shows a pair of Chinese Coast Guard ships using water cannons to douse Filipino vessels, which were reportedly sailing to the Scarborough Shoal to help some fishermen. At least that’s how the Philippines government described the incident in its official protest of what is now…

The Chinese military is nothing if not consistent. Vessels from the Chinese coast guard are harassing Filipino fishermen and marines in disputed waters in the South China Sea at a rate of about twice a month since August. The Chinese ships are working to stop Filipino vessels from reaching destinations in the Scarborough Shoal and…