The waters of Southeast Asia, rich in resources and vital to global trade, are at the center of a long-standing territorial dispute. More than a third of the world’s maritime commerce passes through the region annually.
China claims nearly the entire area under its “nine-dash line,” a claim rejected by an international tribunal in 2016. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan maintain competing claims, creating persistent tensions.
The U.S., while not taking a stance on sovereignty, emphasizes freedom of navigation under international law and regularly conducts Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) to challenge excessive maritime claims, including China’s militarized artificial islands.
China views these patrols as provocations, often sending warships or aircraft to shadow U.S. vessels. These encounters form a cycle of military signaling, with both sides showing resolve while avoiding direct conflict.
