GRAPHICS

A Look at Recent Incidents in the South China Sea

Mar 23, 2023 | 16:01 GMT

Chinese maritime militia vessels float near the Philippine-controlled island of Thitu, which Filipinos call Pag-asa, in the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on March 9, 2023.

Chinese maritime militia vessels float near the Philippine-controlled island of Thitu, which Filipinos call Pag-asa, in the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on March 9, 2023.

(Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

The South China Sea is one of the most disputed areas on the globe, with overlapping claims to the maritime region from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. The region is host to energy and fishery resources, which are hotly sought after and disputed, further driving claimant states' interests and actions. Consequently, absent the still unrealized code of conduct governing norms and behavior amid the intractable multiparty dispute, confrontational incidents between various claimant states are relatively common. Mapping these incidents enables observers to gain clarity on the strategic implications of the ongoing dispute, as well as perspective into various national priorities, which offer insight into future trends....