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Disputes over the South China Sea

Stirring up a storm. [By Jiao Haiyang/China.org.cn]

The South China Sea was turned into troubled water in 2011 by the Philippines' and Vietnam's attempts to involve more countries in the disputes, the military buildup in the region and the involvement of the U.S., India and Japan, which only made the issue more complicated. China upheld its principle of seeking to settle the disputes through bilateral consultations and arranged face-to-face dialogues with countries involved. It also stated its peaceful stance and willingness to cooperate through ASEAN and other multilateral summits, while intensifying communication with the U.S. The U.S. shifted its focus in the Asia-Pacific region, and India and Japan were invited to explore oil and gas resources in the South Chin Sea. Vietnamese Defense Minster Phung Quang Thanh said in September that Vietnam would acquire a submarine fleet over the next six years. In December, the Philippines asked the U.S. for at least a squadron of F-16 fighter jets and announced that it would spend 40 billion pesos (US$941 million) over the next five years to upgrade its military capabilities by acquiring new helicopters, ships and surveillance equipment.

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