Spratly islands

Southeast Asian and Australian leaders on Wednesday warned against actions that "endanger peace" in the South China Sea, following fresh confrontations between Beijing and the Philippines in contested waters.

Simmering tensions in the trade corridor threatened to boil over this week, when Chinese boats in the Spratly Islands were accused of hounding Philippines vessels.

The Philippines condemned the China Coast Guard Sunday for allegedly firing water cannon at its vessels in the disputed South China Sea, describing the actions as "illegal" and "dangerous".

China simulated "sealing off" Taiwan during a third day of wargames around the self-ruled island on Monday, as the United States deployed a naval destroyer into Beijing-claimed waters in a show of force.

China has increased military presence in the South China Sea (SCS).The Red Army recently deployed a rocket launcher in disputed Fiery Cross Reef. The Chinese state-run media reported over the weekend that Beijing made the move in order to counter the Vietnamese aggression.

The Chinese government charged on May 25 that a U.S. warship had entered its waters in the South China Sea "without permission", prompting Beijing's navy to warn the vessel to leave.

The US military will continue to operate "wherever" international law allows, including in the South China Sea, a top US admiral said in Beijing on Nov 3, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the contested waters.

China's navy chief warned his US counterpart encounters between their forces could spiral into conflict, state media reported, two days after a US destroyer sailed close to Beijing's artificial South China Sea islands.
 

Beijing may be building its third airstrip on artificial islands in the South China Sea, a US think-tank said, in a move likely to raise tensions with Washington ahead of a state visit by China's president.
 

A 3,000-metre (9,800-foot) airstrip Beijing is building on a reef in disputed waters in the South China Sea, where tensions are mounting with its neighbours, is "nearly complete", a US think-tank said.
 

China hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the building of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea, state media said on May 26, a move that is likely to escalate tensions in a region already jittery about Beijing's maritime ambitions.