The South China Sea

[Pelican]

US conducts naval mission in contested South China Sea amid Taiwan tensions

A US Navy destroyer sailed near one of the most important Chinese controlled islands in the South China Sea on Monday, in a freedom of navigation mission that Beijing denounced as illegal.
A US Navy destroyer sailed near one of the most important Chinese controlled islands in the South China Sea on Monday, in a freedom of navigation mission that Beijing denounced as illegal.
The US Navy's 7th Fleet said the USS Milius engaged in "normal operations" within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, once a reef submerged at high tide and where China has built an airport and other facilities.
"Under customary international law … features like Mischief Reef that are submerged at high tide in their naturally formed state are not entitled to a territorial sea," the 7th Fleet said in a statement.
Continues at - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-10/ ... /102205584

[Pelican]

China terms US warship's sail through Taiwan Strait 'hyped up'

USS Milius transited through corridor in Taiwan Strait that ‘is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State,’ says US military

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/c ... up/2874110# - LFT

[Pelican]

China asks Philippines to remove grounded ship in South China Sea

Manila accuses Beijing of blocking military supply vessel on routine mission
See - https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Intern ... the%20area.

[Pelican]

Sierra Madre, a Rusting Outpost of Philippine Sovereignty in the South China Sea

An unlikely nautical relic of World War II, the BRP Sierra Madre, sits hard aground on Second Thomas Shoal, an atoll in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Manned by a handful of Philippine marines, the rusting hulk serves as an isolated outpost defending Philippine sovereignty in highly contested waters.

Recently, two ships carrying supplies, escorted by two coast guard ships, delivered fresh provisions to the Sierra Madre, breaking a blockade by the Chinese coast guard. Two weeks prior, the Chinese prevented a previous Philippine supply mission from reaching the ship by firing water cannon at the supply ships. The Chinese have also been accused of using a “military grade” laser light on a Philippine coast guard boat in past encounters.
Continues at - https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2023/08/sie ... more-60813

[Pelican]

China Blocks Philippines Coast Guard Ship Again In South China Sea

See - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfQPe_Edjeg - LFT

[Pelican]

PLATracker
PLATracker DISPATCH - Here is our month-end summary with @detresfa_ where we track rising tensions around the Kinmen Islands, aggressive encounters in the South China Sea, PLA aircraft activity & more through February, 2024