The South China Sea Islands, collectively comprising several archipelago clusters of mostly small uninhabited islands, islets (cays and shoals), reefs / atolls, and seamounts numbering in the …

In recent decades China has been widely seen as the conflicts’ primary driver. While countries have long disagreed on the sea’s precise international demarcations, China has moved ever closer to …

1 day ago · Philippine officials say Chinese forces have fired three flares from an artificial island toward a Philippine plane undertaking a routine patrol in the disputed South China Sea.

Jul 7, 2023 · Countries have wrangled over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has grown in recent years.

Sep 17, 2024 · Explore how China’s claims over the South China Sea have antagonized competing countries and track the latest developments with CFR's Global Conflict Tracker.

Mar 22, 2025 · The South China Sea is an invaluable resource, but it is crucial to apportion its waters to balance the interests of surrounding nations and prevent a single country, like China, from asserting …

4 days ago · China has upgraded surveillance and electronic warfare systems across several occupied reefs in the disputed South China Sea as it seeks to strengthen its defenses and expand intelligence ...