What's happened
Tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated in the South China Sea, with incidents of harassment and collisions involving coastguard vessels. Joint military drills with US allies aim to maintain freedom of navigation in the region.
Why it matters
The rising tensions in the South China Sea have significant implications for regional stability and international relations. The Philippines' efforts to seek dialogue and support from allies demonstrate a commitment to protecting its sovereignty amidst growing Chinese assertiveness.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post highlights the Philippines' accusations of Chinese harassment, while The Independent reports on the collisions between coastguard ships. Al Jazeera covers the recent incidents of Chinese aggression towards Filipino fishing vessels.
How we got here
The South China Sea has been a hotspot of territorial disputes, with China claiming sovereignty over vast areas contested by neighboring countries. The Philippines has sought to protect its interests in the region, leading to confrontations with Chinese forces.
Common question
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The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from
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The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by the shores of South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan and northwestern Philippines, and in the south by B
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the capital of the Philippines and a highly urbanized city. It is the most densely populated city proper in the world as of 2019.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 kmĀ².