ARTICLES

This photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows a Chinese coast guard ship (L) shadowing Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra closely during the re-supply mission by a civilian boat chartered by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies to Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed South China Sea.

6 Sep 2023

China’s Claim on the South China Sea: How Many Dashes Make a Line?

Bill Hayton

China’s new map depicting its claims to the South China Sea has provoked some fierce reactions from its neighbours. The fact is that the “new” map is anything but.

Protesters wave flags and hold placards in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati, Metro Manila

24 Aug 2023

Troubled Waters Ahead for Philippine-Vietnam Strategic Partnership on the South China Sea

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam and the Philippines have formed a strategic partnership in the South China Sea. By reinforcing their respective claims to the area, however, they are vulnerable to a wedge strategy by third parties such as China.

Misinformation Philippine South China Sea Vietnam

20 Jul 2023

The Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: Movement in lieu of Progress

Ian Storey

Observers following the long saga surrounding negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea should not be faulted if they feel a sense of déjà vu.

ASEAN-China Relations South China Sea

11 Jul 2023

How the Nine-Dash Line Undermines China’s Economic Interests in Vietnam

Le Hong Hiep

China’s controversial nine-dash line claim to the South China Sea is creating problems for its businesses operating in Vietnam.

China South China Sea Vietnam

9 Jun 2023

Taiwan Contingencies and Southeast Asia: Scenarios in the Gray Zone

Andrew Chubb

Regional countries, including those in Southeast Asia, have worried about the impacts of a potential Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan. But there are other scenarios to consider.

China-U.S. Relations South China Sea Taiwan

25 Jan 2023

South China Sea in 2022: Deadlock or Not, Disputant States Press Advantages

Hong-Kong Nguyen|Pham-Muoi Nguyen|Viet-Ha Nguyen

2022 proved to be another eventful year for the South China Sea as disputant states continued to take a variety of actions to assert their advantages.

China Maritime Security Philippine South China Sea Vietnam

Indonesia and Vietnam finalised their EEZ boundary delimitation

20 Jan 2023

The Significance of the Vietnam-Indonesia Exclusive Economic Zone Demarcation

Bich Tran

The recent agreement between Vietnam and Indonesia on delimiting their respective exclusive economic zones provides hope for the strengthening of the region's commitment to international maritime norms and principles, as encapsulated in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Indonesia South China Sea UNCLOS Vietnam

8 Nov 2022

UNCLOS: The Polestar for Philippine Maritime Ambitions

Jacqueline F. Espenilla

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has served the Philippines well in achieving its security, economic and environmental goals. The most high-profile application of UNCLOS was the country’s arbitration proceedings against China in 2013 over the South China Sea.

Philippine South China Sea UNCLOS Why UNCLOS Matters

31 Oct 2022

The US-Philippine Alliance: Shared Interests and Subtle Nuances

Mico A Galang

The US National Security Strategy (NSS) identifies some shared interests between Washington and Manila. However, there are nuances in the strategic calculus of the allies when it comes to two key potential flashpoints in the region: Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Defence Philippine-U.S. Relations South China Sea

20 Sep 2022

After 40 Years, UNCLOS Remains Significant to Vietnam

Thu Nguyen Hoang Anh

UNCLOS’s relevance to Vietnam is significant, but the Convention must be updated if Vietnam and other signatories are to succeed in dealing with contemporary challenges in maritime affairs.

Maritime Crime Maritime Security South China Sea UNCLOS Vietnam Why UNCLOS Matters