On October 2, the Navy destroyer Decatur narrowly avoided a collision with a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship in the South China Sea. The Decatur was conducting a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) adjacent to an artificial island constructed by China on the Gaven and Johnson reefs. According to the Pentagon, the PLAN […]

China’s AG600 amphibious plane carried out its first waterborne takeoff and landing on Saturday. The plane, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, is designed primarily for civil aviation. But its capabilities suggest to some that it could be used to further China’s territorial ambitions in disputed areas like the South China Sea. On Saturday, the AG600, […]

MANILA, Philippines — In an act of defiance against Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, London has suggested that more British ships will sail near the contested waterway. Adm. Sir Philip Jones, the British Royal Navy’s top official, said the United Kingdom has an obligation to showcase military support for its allies in […]

Taiwan-begins-F-16-upgrade-programTaiwan China air force The government of Taiwan announced a new live-fire drill next month in Taiping Island, a territory disputed by China and Vietnam, the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday. Taiwan’s drill shortly follows the passage of U.S. warships through international waters in the region, angering China. The drill may also incense […]

China’s defence minister has warned his country won’t give up an inch of its territory, including Taiwan and disputed waters in the South China Sea. China will never give up an inch of its territory, whether the self-ruled island of Taiwan it claims as its own, or in the disputed waters of the South China […]

China snubbed Washington’s top diplomat Mike Pompeo when he visited Beijing this month as tensions ran high over trade and the South China Sea – but some in Beijing did not agree with the handling of the visit and hope to use a security forum to show “a friendlier China”, according to a person familiar […]

Attempt to separate Taiwan from China and Chinese armed forces will ‘take action at any price’, warns defence minister. China vowed it will never give up an inch of its territory – whether it’s the self-ruled island of Taiwan it claims as its own or in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. China’s […]

The naval drills involve more than 1,000 personnel and eight ships. ZHANJIANG: The first-ever maritime exercise held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China started on Monday (Oct 22) in the southern Chinese city of Zhanjiang. Over the next six days, the navies of ASEAN and China will plan and conduct field […]

The Royal Navy has said it should “showcase” support for allies in the Asia Pacific region and resist China which is claiming Britain is provoking them. Senior Royal Navy officer, Admiral Sir Philip Jones said: “If you are going to have a different interpretation of that convention to the majority of nations then that has […]

Recently, the South China Sea seems to be witnessing “polarized” opposition between China and the US as seen from the stinging speech by US Vice President Mike Pence that slammed China’s South China Sea policy and America’s frequent muscle-flexing in the waters. The US, together with its allies and partners, is using political, diplomatic and […]