More storms are brewing in the South China Sea
A dangerous new stage in the conflict is beginning
Eight years ago China lost a legal battle over its fantastical territorial claims in the South China Sea. An international tribunal ruled they had no basis. China responded by continuing to occupy and fortify reefs and rocks and sometimes preventing fishing and energy development by other countries. Now the confrontation is heating up as Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia challenge China’s claims and aggression in different ways. Broadly speaking, this pushback is welcome. However, it should not be reckless. America should ensure that its ally, the Philippines, treads carefully.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Storm warning”
From the September 14th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Leaders
The real meaning of the DeepSeek drama
The Chinese model-maker has panicked investors. But it is good for the users of AI
Rwanda does a Putin in Congo
To understand the seizure of Goma, consider a parallel with Ukraine
Sir Keir Starmer should aim higher in his reset with the EU
And he needs to be clearer about what Britain wants
To make electricity cheaper and greener, connect the world’s grids
Less than 3% of the world’s power is internationally traded—a huge wasted opportunity
Chinese AI is catching up, posing a dilemma for Donald Trump
The success of DeepSeek and other Chinese modelmakers threatens America’s lead
America has an imperial presidency
And in Donald Trump, an imperialist president for the first time in over a century