Over the past two decades, China has occupied a number of obscure reefs and atolls far from its shoreline across the South China Sea, building up military installations, including runways and ports.
Video Ad Feedback Why it matters who owns the seas (April 2021) 03:48 - Source: CNNWhy does the South China Sea matter?
The South China Sea is home to hundreds of largely uninhabited islands and coral atolls and diverse wildlife at risk from climate change and marine pollution.
The US is not a claimant to the South China Sea, but says the waters are crucial to its national interest of guaranteeing freedom of the seas worldwide.
Marcos has strengthened US relations that had frayed under his predecessor, with the two allies touting potential future joint patrols in the South China Sea.
Persons:
It’s, China’s, Defense Lindsey Ford, ”, Stringer, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Jay Batongbacal, “, Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos, Gregory Poling
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