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NOV 24, 2024
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China's Imperialist, Maritime Occupation of the West Philippine Sea
It is no longer sufficient to describe China's aggressions in the West Philippine Sea as if they are a series of individual incursions. We've passed that point. This is now a maritime occupation by a hostile, imperial power. The Philippines and its friends need to adjust their conceptual frameworks, their strategies and their tactics accordingly.
OCT 22, 2024
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Indonesia Expels China Coast Guard Ship Harassing Research Vessel
The China Coast Guard harassed Indonesia's oil and gas exploration activities in the Arwana Block from 17-21 October. Indonesia responded by sending its own vessels to "expel" the Chinese ship.
OCT 15, 2024
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Unlocking China's "Media Unlocked" Propagandists
China Daily's young Media Unlocked hosts pose as independent journalists dedicated to "telling the truth about China". Viewer beware.
SEP 21, 2024
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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 12, 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 3, 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)
AUG 16, 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 3, 2024
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Why is China Surveying the Shoals near Palawan?
For the past week the Chinese research vessel Ke Xue San Hao has been surveying the reefs and shoals west of the Philippine island of Palawan.
JUL 15, 2024
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Transparency has not "failed" the Philippines
Recent debate which casts the Philippines' assertive transparency campaign as as a "failure" for not deterring Beijing's South China Sea aggression risks missing the forest for the trees. Manila has gained much by turning on the cameras.
JUN 23, 2024
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This Was No "Accident"
President Marcos laid out the principled high ground upon which the Philippines stands at Second Thomas Shoal. His spokespeople should avoid yielding it back by excusing Beijing's mendacity.

News & Articles

DEC 10, 2024
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South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects and runway may set scene for conflict with Beijing
Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.
DEC 10, 2024
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Philippines to continue resupply missions in S.China Sea, won't escalate situation
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Tuesday that the country will not send its navy to support Filipino fishers in a contested shoal in the South China Sea despite a recent incident with Chinese vessels.
DEC 9, 2024
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Philippines to match China’s gray zone tactics in South China Sea
Philippines to match China’s gray zone tactics in South China Sea
DEC 9, 2024
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US Sends A-10 'Warthogs' to Allied Air Base in Contested South China Sea
The United States has deployed a number of attack aircraft to the Philippines amid persistent tensions in the contested South China Sea.
DEC 4, 2024
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Philippines new maritime laws add to South China Sea tension
New laws specifying Manila's claims have also angered smaller countries such as Malaysia, which could hamper unified resistance to China's attempts at regional dominance.
DEC 4, 2024
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Philippines says China’s coast guard fired water cannons and sideswiped its patrol vessel
Chinese coast guard vessels backed by navy ships fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel on Wednesday in renewed aggression at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine officials said.
DEC 2, 2024
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Philippines outnumbered as ‘largest China vessel swarm’ spotted near Thitu Island
An analyst suggests Beijing may be ‘adding fuel’ to domestic political tensions amid the ongoing Marcos-Duterte fallout
NOV 28, 2024
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Indonesia’s Prabowo is desperate to impress Trump and Xi
The new president’s first foreign tour was a shambles
NOV 28, 2024
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Drawing lines in the South China Sea: what Beijing’s new claims over a disputed coral reef mean
China has only advanced the outer limit of its territorial sea by a few hundred metres in two directions. This is because its straight baselines largely hug the edge of the reef.
NOV 26, 2024
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Philippines: Marcos-Duterte feud puts China in the heated middle
Vice President Sara Duterte threatens to kill President Marcos Jr and clan amid suspicion China behind campaign to undermine US-leaning leader
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