Ahead of Key U.N. Ruling Tensions Rise In the South China Sea

Washington Post: Storm clouds gather over South China Sea ahead of key U.N. ruling

BEIJING — A summer storm is brewing in the South China Sea.

Evidence appears to be mounting that China is pondering another bout of island-building in the sea, and the United States is already on alert.

Twice last week — and again on Tuesday — the U.S. Pacific Command said it sent warplanes close to Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of coral reefs, sand and rocks just off the coast of the Philippines. In Beijing, the response was sharp.

The shoal is the latest point of friction between China, the United States and nations that ring the South China Sea over Beijing’s moves to build maritime outposts and other sites that could have a potential military use.

“Thunderclouds are gathering over the South China Sea, and China is the lightning rod,” said Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor of politics at the University of New South Wales, in Australia.

Read more ....

More News And Analysis On South China Sea Tensions

U.S. Sees New Flashpoint in South China Sea Dispute -- WSJ
Japanese destroyer arrives in Philippines amid South China Sea tensions -- IBTimes
Japan's Warship Arrives in Philippines to Balance China's Influence -- Sputnik
Plenty of reasons for US and China to sit idle at upcoming summit -- South China Morning Post
Asean, Australia join hands as China builds outpost in Scarborough shoal -- IBTimes
What is Really Going on Behind the Curtains in South China Sea? -- Sputnik
Flashpoint South China Sea -- Daily Times
Arbitration and disputes in South China Sea -- Raul S. Hernandez, Korea Times
The South China Sea Dispute Isn't About Oil, At Least Not How You Think -- Jeremy Maxie, Forbes