CHINA US Focus - Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

On July 9, a high-ranking US State Department official said that Article 5 of the Treaty of Security and Safeguard Between Japan and United States applies to the Diaoyu Islands. When it comes to the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, Japan grows grumpy the moment the United States begins to make any utterance.

During his visit to Vietnam in early June, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta displayed eagerness to have the U.S. military return to the bases it once occupied at Cam Ranh Bay.  The Pentagon lost its foothold there when South Vietnam fell to communist forces in the mid-1970s, and military officials have longed to regain [...]

Over one month has passed since the China-Philippines standoff over Huangyan Island (Scarborough shoal) started on 10 April 2012. The Philippines’ biggest naval vessel BRP Gregorio Del Pilar attempted to intercept Chinese fishing boats which were reported to take shelter from a storm in the lagoon of Huangyan Island. Although diplomatic negotiations resumed on 9 [...]

It has been almost one month since the standoff started on April 10, 2012 between the Philippines and China at the waters around at Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal). This standoff raises a new round of debate on the dispute between China and other claimant states on both the sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.

The standoff between China and the Philippines over Huangyan Island has lasted for nearly a month and there are no signs of a compromise. Compared to other conflicts in the South China Sea region in recent years, this one is quite different and has the potential to escalate.  The major difference is that the Philippines [...]

On April 10th China and the Philippines became embroiled in a naval standoff in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The standoff occurred when the Philippine Navy frigate, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was sent to investigate the sighting of eight Chinese fishing boats at Scarborough Shoal 124 nautical miles west of Luzon.  On arrival [...]