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South China Sea
Economy

Global Impact: South China Sea tensions roll on as China, Philippines clash over Scarborough Shoal

  • Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world
  • In this issue, we take a look at the latest tensions and disputes in the South China Sea

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In this issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we take a look at the latest tensions and disputes in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP
Bhavan Jaipragas
Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now!
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The world’s attention may be on the Middle East now, but that doesn’t mean the hot conflicts – or potential hot conflicts – elsewhere, including in Asia, are going anywhere.

In recent months, regional geopolitical observers have been especially worried about the dramatic ratcheting up of maritime tensions between South China Sea disputants China and the Philippines.

05:22

Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues

Why the South China Sea dispute remains one of the region’s most pressing issues
Tensions between the neighbours rekindled following an incident in August where China deployed water cannons at Philippine vessels resupplying the BRP Sierre Madre, a grounded Philippine vessel at the Second Thomas Shoal used by the Southeast Asian country as a makeshift base.
Then, in late September, Manila said its personnel removed a Chinese floating barrier near the Scarborough Shoal – another land feature in the South China Sea – calling it a violation of international law and a hazard to navigation.
Beijing said it voluntarily removed that barrier.
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China gained control of the shoal in 2012 after a stand-off with the Philippines, and the area has seen bouts of high-tension encounters over sovereignty and fishing rights for years.

14:15

Livelihoods lost: The fishermen snared in the Scarborough Shoal dispute

Livelihoods lost: The fishermen snared in the Scarborough Shoal dispute
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