Territory - South China Sea

Use of Force

The tension in the South China Sea is filled with a heavy dose of irony. After a live-fire military drill, a declaration on conscription and affirming that she will "stand up to" aggressors, Vietnam now called, jointly with her old war foe the US, for freedom of navigation and non-use of force in the South China Sea, China, meanwhile, conducted three small-scale military exercises, including marine mine sweeping and missile tests. While sending its largest warship into the controversial waters, the Philippines said through an armed forces spokesman, "We hope someday we can exercise with the Chinese Navy."