Analysis: Tension in Indo-Pacific Region Heightens Under Chinese Influence

A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at Unaizah May 4, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, in the South China Sea on March 5, 2024. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

News Analysis

Tensions between China and the Philippines have intensified in the Indo-Pacific region, as have the Taiwan Strait and Sino-Indian border disputes. Meanwhile, there are signs of a new alliance forming among the United States, Japan, and the Philippines, with India backing the U.S. ally, the Philippines. Experts have different opinions on whether the Indo-Pacific region will become a new hotspot.

Conflict in South China Sea

On March 23, Chinese coast guard ships hit a Philippine supply boat with water cannons in the latest confrontation near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing injuries to its navy crew members and heavy damage to the wooden vessel.