... been expanding its arms purchases from Russia, as it has happened with the Project 1241 corvettes. Beyond arms sales, Russia plays a major role in fostering the Vietnamese military capabilities, which are also aimed at countering any threat within the South China Sea.
The Philippines is another country with which Russia has been cooperating in the energy field. In 2019, President Duterte asked Russia to carry out
offshore oil and gas exploration
in what he defines the “West Philippine Sea”, namely the South China ...
... on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On February 11, 2019, two U.S. guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Preble, passed 12 nautical miles of the Mischief Reef of the Spratly Islands, which by decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the South China Sea Arbitration, the Philippines v. China, were not recognized as islands, as insisted by Beijing, but as lowtide elevations that do not generate entitlement to maritime zones [
1
]. Accordingly, the passage of warships at any distance from them, as well as the implementation ...
... and Chinese military activities in the region. This will consequently cause further escalation, including an increased likelihood of an armed conflict.
At the same time court decision may pave the way for the resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea based on compromise. President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly made it clear that he will be using the court ruling as a starting point for a new round of talks with Beijing. His readiness for dialogue with the PRC has caused certain
concerns in Tokyo and Washington
. The ...
China, Philippines, Vietnam, USA
The latest developments in the South China Sea conflict between China and the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia have been escalating tensions in the region and affecting the conflict's entire political configuration. The issue is China's decision to deploy maritime policing vessels for inspecting, if necessary, vessels belonging ...
