ARTICLES

13 Oct 2020

The South China Sea, a fault line in China-Russia relations?

Ian Storey

The South China Sea poses a stress test in Russia-China relations, pitting China’s excessive claims against Russian energy interests.

Russia South China Sea

21 Sep 2020

ASEAN and the South China Sea Code of Conduct: Raising the Aegis of International Law

Hoang Thi Ha

With Vietnam at the helm of ASEAN this year, the grouping has wielded the aegis of international law to ensure that international and regional concerns about the South China Sea are respected in Code of Conduct negotiations.

ASEAN South China Sea

30 Jul 2020

Southeast Asia as a Sino-US Battleground: China’s Measured Response Amid American Attacks

Lye Liang Fook

With the acceleration in tensions between the United States and China globally, Southeast Asia has again been caught up in clash of the two titans. The recent trigger for this was the US Department of State statement in July 2020 on the US Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea where it dismissed China’s claims...

China-U.S. Relations South China Sea Southeast Asia

26 Jun 2020

South China Sea: Indonesia Crosses Swords with China

Leo Suryadinata

Indonesia has recently taken a firmer position vis-à-vis China on the South China Sea. Those who think that Jakarta is assuming the leadership mantle of ASEAN on the issue will be disappointed; the more assertive stance derives from Jakarta’s own interests.

Indonesia South China Sea

6 Mar 2020

USS Theodore Roosevelt’s Vietnam Visit: Low Key, High Touch

Le Hong Hiep

Hanoi’s decision to host the visit of the USS Theodore Roosevelt underscores its determination to pursue better relations with the US

South China Sea U.S.-Vietnam Relations

16 Jan 2019

US Navy Conducts First South China Sea FONOP of 2019

Ian Storey

A recent freedom of navigation operation conducted by the USS McCampbell in the South China coincided with talks in Beijing between US and China. The relatively restrained response by the People's Liberation Army lessened the risk of a collision - and a serious crisis in China-US relations.

China FONOPs South China Sea

3 Jan 2019

How to Read Hanoi’s Position on the South China Sea COC?

Le Hong Hiep

The ASEAN-China Code of Conduct negotiations took an unexpected turn when Vietnam started calling for a ban on any new Air Defence Identification Zone over the South China Sea. However, China is unlikely to concede due to its maritime ambitions, and may even harden its stance against these pressures.

China South China Sea Vietnam

25 May 2018

Vietnam under Increasing Pressure from China in the South China Sea

Ian Storey

From beefing up its military presence in the islands near Vietnam to overt attempts at curtailing Vietnam's commercial activities in the South China Sea through the threat of force, Beijing has been ramping up the pressure on Hanoi to coerce Vietnam into compromising its maritime claims in favour of China's interests.

China South China Sea Vietnam

11 May 2018

Whither Malaysia’s China Policy Under Prime Minister Mahathir?

Ian Storey

Despite his highly vocal stance that Malaysia has become too dependent on China, the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China is unlikely to change drastically under Prime Minister Mahathir. China is too important as an economic partner for Malaysia, and Malaysia being is too influential within ASEAN for China to upset.

China-Malaysia Relations Malaysia South China Sea

27 Mar 2018

US Conducts 6th South China Sea FONOP under Trump

Ian Storey

In response to the US' latest Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) exercise, China dispatched two warships to warn off the USS Mustin, and proclaimed the mission to be illegal and provocative. So far, only the US is willing to conduct FONOPs around Chinese-occupied features to challenge Beijing's excessive maritime claims.

FONOPs South China Sea U.S.