Nov 11 Chinese ships block, pursue Philippine vessels as U.S. renews warning it will defend its ally By Jim Gomez, Joeal Calupitan, Associated Press As a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flew in circles, keeping a close watch, dozens of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships chased and encircled Philippine vessels in the latest confrontation in one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the South… Continue reading
Oct 22 Philippines say Chinese boats rammed vessels in disputed waters By Jim Gomez, Associated Press A top Philippine security official said there were no injuries among the Filipino crew members and an assessment of the damage to both vessels was underway. Continue reading
Aug 23 2 Philippine supply boats breach Chinese coast guard blockade in hotly contested South China Sea By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press It's the latest flare-up from territorial disputes in the busy sea that has become a delicate fault line in the U.S.-China rivalry. Continue reading
Apr 27 Chinese coast guard ship blocks Philippine patrol vessel in new stand-off By Jim Gomez, Associated Press A Chinese coast guard ship blocked a Philippine patrol vessel steaming into a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing a frightening near-collision in the latest act of Beijing's aggression in the strategic waterway. Continue reading
Mar 24 China threatens ‘ serious consequences’ over U.S. warship actions near disputed island By David Rising, Associated Press China is threatening "serious consequences" after the United States Navy sailed a destroyer around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea for the second day in a row. Continue reading
Feb 18 Philippine President Marcos says China laser not enough to activate U.S. defense pact By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The Philippine president said Saturday the Chinese coast guard’s use of military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of the crew aboard a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defense… Continue reading
Feb 13 Philippines accuses China of using military-grade laser against coast guard vessel By Jim Gomez, Associated Press According to the Philippines, the Chinese ship also maneuvered dangerously close to block the Philippine patrol vessel from approaching one of the disputed islands last week. Continue reading
Nov 20 Vice President Harris visits the Philippines amid South China Sea dispute By Jim Gomez, Associated Press Vice President Kamala Harris will underscore America’s commitment to defending treaty ally the Philippines with a visit that started Sunday and involves flying to an island province facing the disputed South China Sea, where Washington has accused China of bullying smaller claimant… Continue reading
Jul 14 China accuses U.S. of sowing discord in South China Sea By Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press The Trump administration's rejection of broad Chinese claims to much of the South China Sea came across in Asia as an election-year political move, with some appealing for calm amid fears of greater tensions. Continue reading
Jul 13 U.S. rejects nearly all Chinese claims in South China Sea By Matthew Lee, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Trump administration is escalating its actions against China by stepping squarely into one of the most sensitive regional issues dividing them and outright rejecting nearly all of Beijing’s significant maritime claims in the South China Sea. Continue reading