The Latest Breaking News from the South China Sea

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has begun its first joint naval exercise at a time when several member countries are responding more strongly to increasing Chinese assertiveness in the area

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all have claims over the area, and tensions often threaten to boil over

In talks with Southeast Asian leaders Wednesday in the Indonesian capital, Chinese Premier Li Qiang underscored his country’s importance as the world’s second-biggest economy and as the top trading partner of the region

As week of key meetings gets under way, Indonesia’s foreign minister tells counterparts the group must prove its worth.

Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Indonesia this week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit

China has upset many countries in the Asia-Pacific region with the release of a new official map that lays claim to most of the South China Sea, as well as contested parts of India and Russia, and official objections continue to mount

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said “The map is a very serious issue but they have already taken land. The Prime Minister should speak about it.”

At the end of last week, 1,200 Australian troops took part in a joint military exercise in the Philippines with hundreds of Filipino and American forces. Their mission: simulating the retaking of an island by a hostile force, presumably in the South China Sea.

Australian and Filipino forces, backed by U.S. Marines, have practiced retaking an island seized by hostile forces in a large military drill on the northwestern Philippine coast facing the South China Sea

As a US Navy plane circled, two Philippine boats breached a Chinese coast guard blockade in a confrontation in the South China Sea to deliver food and other supplies to Filipino forces guarding a contested shoal

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti announced that the US will issue a record number of visas in 2023. He highlighted India's importance to US diplomacy, paid tribute to Indian-Americans, and urged people to come to America. He also noted threats to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.