South China Sea: Why are China and Philippines tensions heating up?

By Karen Lema – Reuters

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s expansive claims via its nine-dash line had no basis under international law, handing the Philippines a landmark victory. But that has not stopped China, which rejects the ruling, from being more assertive.

Beijing has deployed hundreds of coastguard vessels to patrol those areas, alarming the Philippines, rival claimants and other states operating in the South China Sea, including the United States, which is wary about China’s growing military power and territorial ambition.