Scramble for the South China Sea’s Shoals

The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are a hotspot of territorial disputes—particularly between the PRC and the Philippines. The discovery of potential oil reserves, along with overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs), has fueled tensions—leading to militarization and a growing frequency of skirmishes. Despite international condemnation and calls for cooperative resource management, the lack of a capable legal framework jeopardizes regional stability and the free flow of global trade.

AsiaBy Peter BartoOctober 8, 2024#Philippines, US, UNCLOS, Navy, Maritime, Indo-Pacific, SierraMadre, Shoal, PRC, EEZ

China and the Philippines: Lasting Tensions in the South China Sea

For decades, the South China Sea has been a hotbed for regional tensions as various countries have competing claims on different areas and geographic features of the sea. Relations between the Philippines and China have been particularly soured by frequent standoffs in this dispute.

AsiaBy Tammy DongOctober 6, 2023South China Sea, ASEAN, China-Philippines relations, territorial disputes, UNCLOS