The South China Sea, home to a wealth of oil and natural gas deposits, is the subject of numerous territorial disputes between the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Beyond the natural resources in the region, there are also vital international trade routes-- about half of all oil tanker shipments cross the South China Sea-- military bases, and fisheries. China, in particular, continues to increase its military presence in the area and island-building, putting both the region and the United States on alert.
Latest in South China Sea
The U.S. and partners conduct repeated exercises in the South China Sea, the Philippines high court demands that Rodrigo Duterte protect Philippine reef claims and Singapore hosts the Asia-Pacific’s largest maritime defense conference.
Can the United States carry out its East Asia strategy with a shrinking navy?
Relations between the U.S. and China chill as VP Pence accuses China of domestic interference, as tensions in the South China Sea remain high following a near-collision of warships.
The Philippines and China plan to discuss joint exploration for natural resources in the South China Sea, and Japan acknowledges deploying a submarine to the region for the first time.
Beijing responds to coordinated pressure to abide by the rule of law—and takes advantage of times when the world looks away.
Meanwhile, live-fire missile exercises loudly crash target vessels to the bottom of the sea.
Freedom-of-navigation operations are not sufficient to protect U.S. security interests.
U.S. allies are beginning to perform Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea.
Regional and maritime powers continue to posture between the U.S. freedom-of-navigation program and China’s reclamation efforts.
China may abandon the "Nine-Dash Line" claim in the South China Sea, but it's not abandoning its bad legal arguments.