South china sea
US brands Beijing's South China Sea claims illegal
The United States has long rejected Beijing's sweeping claims in the South China Sea, which is both home to valuable oil and gas deposits and a vital waterway...
Peter Apps says 2019 may offer no shortage of strategic surprises.
One prime minister warned that the trade war between Washington and Beijing could trigger a 'domino effect' of protectionist steps by other countries.
The increase in Chinese mediation activities began in 2013, the year that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched.
Tehran had argued that the US sanctions imposed since May by the Trump administration violated the terms their 1955 Treaty of Amity.
The move, if confirmed, would mark the first Chinese missile deployments in the Spratly Islands, where several Asian countries including Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims.
The large tanker Sanchi sank in the worst oil ship disaster in decades on Sunday, raising worries about damage to the marine ecosystem.
Beijing is building military bases there on manmade islands in waters claimed by other nations.
The two leaders were expected to discuss what Beijing can do to rein in Pyongyang’s missiles and nuclear weapons programmes.
The USS Stethem, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, part of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the official said.
China has denied US charges that it is militarising the sea, which also is claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The North has proudly publicised its plans to develop a missile capable of striking the US & has ignored calls to halt its weapons programmes.
The brash Philippine leader last week announced his plan to raise the Philippine flag in the island of Thitu and fortify it with barracks.
Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims on the strategic waterway.
China seized the shoal, which is northeast of the Spratly islands, in 2012 and denied access to Philippine fishermen.
The development is likely to raise questions about whether and how the US will respond, given its vows to take a tough line on China.
Foreign ministers of the association were unanimous in their concern about Beijing's reclamation and militarisation of manmade islands.
China said it had 'irrefutable' sovereignty over disputed islands after the White House vowed to defend 'international territories'..
The US officials said they hoped the US diplomatic initiative would be more successful in Indonesia.