Maritime tensions between China and the Philippines were in the spotlight at the Munich Security Conference, with former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying calling the occupation of disputed features in the South China Sea “a red line.”
China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading "false narratives", though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.
A Philippine plane warned a Chinese military helicopter over the South China Sea that it was "flying too close," as tension between the U.S. ally and Beijing soars.
China's coast guard sailed within a few dozen miles of the Philippines' Palawan Province while continuing to patrol waters off Luzon island.
Analysts say Manila’s efforts to conclude defense treaties with allies can strengthen its ability to deter China in the disputed South China Sea
A Chinese military helicopter flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday, in what observers said was the second incident of potentially catastrophic behavior by the People’s Liberation Army against foreign aircraft in a week.
China conducted unannounced live-fire naval exercises in the Tasman Sea on Feb 21. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Indonesia is one of the founding members of ASEAN and long served as its de facto leader, playing a crucial role in mediating regional crises. Analysts warned that its leadership in the group on the South China Sea issue would wane if it stopped championing international legal norms.
The Philippine foreign ministry said on Friday it was "concerned" over what it described as "unsafe manoeuvres" and the use of flares by a Chinese air force plane against an Australian Air Force aircraft in the South China Sea.
Armed with "more diverse tools", Beijing will not sit idle this time if Manila launches a second high-profile arbitration case against Beijing over the Sea, according to a leading Chinese maritime expert.
Crew members assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sindangan say they knew their mission would involve facing off against huge, numerous, intimidating Chinese vessels in the contested waters of the Sea.