The Latest Breaking News from South China Sea

First confrontation between Chinese and US warships near Scarborough Shoal in six years comes after a pair of Chinese vessels collide while chasing away a Philippine ship from disputed atoll

The United States has deployed two warships to the disputed South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal

India and the Philippines are staging joint naval sail and exercises in the disputed South China Sea for the first time, a high-profile military deployment that will likely antagonize China

The U.S. Navy plans to build two facilities in the Philippines for repairing and maintaining Philippine military boats

The U.S. Pacific Fleet commander says China has failed to intimidate rival claimant states into surrendering their sovereign interests in the South China Sea despite its intensifying “bullying tactics” and the United States and other allied countries are ready to further boost deterrence against Beijing’s aggression

The Philippines' foreign ministry has summoned China's ambassador after Beijing imposed sanctions on a former Filipino senator who has been critical of China’s actions in the disputed South China Sea

A 2016 international arbitration decision invalidated China’s claims based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have been involved in prolonged territorial standoffs but confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces have spiked in recent years.

The South China Sea has long been a bubbling geopolitical hot spot. Recently, a series of moves by the various nations claiming a stake in the waters has stirred up yet more trouble.