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60 Minutes Goes to Sea ... and Gets Rammed
60 Minutes Goes to Sea ... and Gets Rammed
SeaLight Director Ray Powell tells the behind-the-scenes story of how the world-famous CBS program "60 Minutes" went to the Philippines to tell the world the story of how China is trying to drive its smaller neighbor out of the West Philippine Sea; how the Philippines is putting up an epic fight against steep odds; and why the world should care.
SEP 21, 2024
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China's Disinformation is Testing the Philippines' Transparency Initiative
The lack of automatic information system broadcast data on the Philippine Coast Guard vessels involved in the August 19th Sabina Shoal incident hurts the Philippines' transparency initiative, and gives room for China's disinformation tactics to set the narrative.
SEP 12, 2024
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Giant Clam Harvesting: The South China Sea's Environmental Catastrophe
While land reclamation and island-building have had the most visible impact on the South China Sea's fragile coral reef ecosystem, China's illegal but still active giant clam harvesting industry is actually the most destructive. (Image credit: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and Maxar Technologies)
SEP 3, 2024
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Why China's "Little Blue Men" are a Big Problem
China's maritime militia is a key asymmetric advantage in its strategy to dominate its maritime approaches, and especially its vast claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, yet the exact size and composition of this expanding paramilitary force is an enigma. Let's go over what we do know.
AUG 16, 2024

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What is SeaLight?

SeaLight is committed to lighting up the maritime gray zone so that bullies and criminals can no longer hide in the darkness while they harass law-abiding fisherfolk; destroy the marine environment and fish stocks; prevent legitimate exploration and survey activities; and violate international law and other countries' sovereign rights.
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Latest Resources

South China Sea-related materials, maps, media, databases, and more. Collected and curated in our searchable research library.
Why Should We Care About the South China Sea's New Flashpoint?
Published SEP 16, 2024
Ray Powell and Jim Carouso discuss the recent tense and sometimes violent maritime confrontations between China and the Philippines with Southeast Asia expert Greg Poling, author of "On Dangerous Ground: America's Century in the South China Sea". They consider what these developments mean for America's long-standing alliance commitment to the Philippines, which Greg asserts is finally being treated like a "real ally" on equivalent footing with more developed countries like Japan.
60 Minutes: Danger in the South China Sea
Published SEP 16, 2024
The U.S. could be drawn into a conflict between China and the Philippines that's been roiling the South China Sea.
The South China Sea: Historical and legal background
Published SEP 12, 2024
In the South China Sea, the Chinese leadership is intent on controlling all the rocks, reefs, and resources in the waters encompassed by what has become known as the ‘nine-dash’ or ‘U-shaped’ line. This line, which first appeared on an official map published by the Republic of China (ROC) in 1948, has no legal or historical basis. It is the product of misunderstandings and mistranslations by officials and private individuals in China during the 1930s. Unfortunately, this line is the basis for ongoing confrontations and escalating geopolitical tension between the People’s Republic of China (PRC), its Southeast Asian neighbours and other countries.
Voices from the Sea
Published MAY 25, 2024
Filipino fishermen from Zambales speak out and tell us their experiences with the China Coast Guard and maritime militia, which continue to encroach on the West Philippine Sea.
Why Should We Care if China is Harassing Philippine Ships?
Published MAY 21, 2024
Jim Carouso and Ray Powell interview the Philippine Coast Guard's spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, about China's continuing harassment of Philippine ships at a time when the mist of the previous day's water-cannoning near Scarborough Shoal was still dissipating. They discuss the importance of countering Chinese aggression and protecting the international rules-based order. They ask Jay to weigh the benefits of the Philippines' transparency campaign against its risks, and to comment on ASEAN's reluctance to publicly back Manila in its maritime struggles and its inability to produce a South China Sea Code of Conduct.
The Six-Country Fight Over These Tiny, Terrible Islands
Published MAY 17, 2024
Well-produced Wendover Productions overview of the South China Sea dispute.
Nearly A Decade after the Philippines' Legal Victory, Beijing continues to Militarize Islands in the South China Sea
Published APR 13, 2024
Infographic of China's artificial islands in the South China Sea overlaid with the Philippines' rights under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific? (Podcast)
Published APR 4, 2024
Join hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso as they delve into the crucial issues defining the 21st century's pivotal region--one that spans from Hollywood to Bollywood. Learn to navigate its most important geopolitical, economic, military, environmental and cultural challenges, with a practical emphasis on why it matters. Hosted by seasoned diplomatic and national security practitioners, each episode offers insightful analysis and thought-provoking discussions. From bustling cities like Beijing, Mumbai and Tokyo, through the diverse countries of Southeast Asia, down to the Australian Outback and the pristine islands of the South Pacific, expert guests help Jim and Ray explore the region's defining issues, emergent crises and future trajectories. Discover the interplay of the U.S.-China strategic competition against the interests of rapidly emerging powers like India and Indonesia. Explore the complexities of regional alliances old and new like ASEAN, AUKUS and "the Quad". Understand the forces driving hotspots like the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea and the China-India border ... and most importantly, why we should care.
China, the U.S. and the West Philippine Sea Disputes: A Conversation
Published MAR 30, 2024
Philippine vlogger and journalist Richard Heydarian talks to SeaLight Director Ray Powell about ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Countering Coercion
Published MAR 30, 2024
Managing Chinese Gray Zone Activity in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region
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In The News

Our finds on the latest articles and information from outside of the SeaLight team.
Chinese Government Vessels Identified in Brutal Attack on Vietnamese Fishermen in the South China Sea
Published OCT 2, 2024
Chinese Government Vessels Identified in Brutal Attack on Vietnamese Fishermen in the South China Sea
Crew of Vietnamese fishing boat injured in an attack in the South China Sea, state media say
Published SEP 30, 2024
A Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam, and 10 crew members were injured, Vietnamese state media said Monday.
Philippine Coast Guard resumes patrol in Escoda Shoal
Published SEP 27, 2024
Weeks after the pullout of BRP Teresa Magbanua, the country reasserted its presence in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea by dispatching a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship to the area.
China's coast guard says Philippine vessel took supplies to Second Thomas Shoal
Published SEP 27, 2024
China's coast guard said on Friday the Philippines sent a civilian ship to ferry daily necessities to a warship at the Second Thomas Shoal that Beijing says was illegally "beached" in the disputed waterway of the South China Sea.
Australian, New Zealand naval vessels pass through Taiwan Strait
Published SEP 26, 2024
In addition to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (Sept. 25).
Australian, New Zealand naval vessels pass through Taiwan Strait
Published SEP 26, 2024
In addition to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (Sept. 25).
Philippines says aircraft shadowed by Chinese helicopter during patrol
Published SEP 25, 2024
The Philippines said on Wednesday its fisheries bureau aircraft was shadowed and approached by a Chinese navy helicopter while on patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in another face-off between two countries locked in a bitter row over territory.
Philippines beefing up sea patrol assets
Published SEP 24, 2024
The Philippine government is ramping up efforts to modernize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with the procurement of at least 46 new maritime vessels, a senior transportation official told NewsWatch Plus on Monday, Sept. 23.
US Ally Mounts Fresh Challenge to China at Disputed Territory
Published SEP 23, 2024
The Philippines has successfully resumed its coast guard presence at Sabina Shoal, of the South China Sea's Spratly Islands that is fiercely contested by China.
More China boats at shoal; Philippines ‘to keep them guessing’
Published SEP 21, 2024
Chinese ships continue to swarm Escoda (Sabina) Shoal ahead ofthe arrival of a replacement ship for the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua. The spokesperson for the National Maritime Council says the Philippines will stop publicly disclosing ship details and movements that would be usefulto China, which has deployed more than 80 vessels atthe shoal west of Palawan.
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JUL 12, 2023
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