US and Japan Boost AI, Semiconductor Alliance; EU Eyes Reduction in China Dependence 
Vladimir Putin’s gold strategy explains why sanctions against Russia have failed 
US election: two graphs show how young voters influence presidential results as Biden gets poll boost 
China's Commerce Minister to Advocate EV Sector in Europe Amid Subsidy, Tariff Probe 
Deepfakes are still new, but 2024 could be the year they have an impact on elections 
US Commerce Secretary Asserts Huawei Chip Lag, Affirms Export Control Success 
How will US foreign policy affect Joe Biden’s chances of re-election in November? 
Even presidents need a touch of madness − in March 
Chinese Hackers Target US Officials and Dissidents in Cyber Espionage Scheme 
Liberalism is in crisis. A new book traces how we got here, but lets neoliberal ideologues off the hook 
The stakes could not be higher as Canada sets its 2035 emissions target 
Turkey’s suppression of the Kurdish political movement continues to fuel a deadly armed conflict 
South Korean President Yoon faces foreign policy challenges after the National Assembly election 
Tensions remain in the South China Sea in the midst of the chaos surrounding the recent Afghanistan withdrawals. China has raised tensions in the disputed waters as of late as Beijing puts a new maritime law in place.
China claims the majority of the South China Sea, but its claims overlap with partial claims of the surrounding countries. An international tribunal ruled against China’s so-called historic claims, saying that there was no legal basis for said claims. China has insisted on them anyway and recently introduced the Maritime Traffic Safety Law that looks to regulate international vessels that enter Chinese waters.
Under the said law, foreign ships are required to carry permits and inform the Chinese maritime authorities of their entry. Foreign ships will also have to report their call signs and cargo before they enter Chinese-controlled waters. China’s Maritime Safety Administration admitted that the new laws would apply to foreign vessels that are suspected of being a threat to the country’s maritime safety.
Chinese experts told the state-affiliated news outlet Global Times that the laws are there to protect the country’s national security at sea. However, according to Taiwan’s Institute of National Defense and Strategic Research Defense Strategy and Resources director Su Tzu-Yun, Beijing considers China’s maritime jurisdiction to apply even beyond its own waters.
Su went on to claim that this gives China an excuse to respond to navigation exercises that are being carried out by other countries present in the South China Sea. Taipei Times also said that China’s new laws increase the concern of a possible military conflict involving the waters.
Among the countries that are angered by China’s sweeping claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea is the Philippines. Previously, the head of the Philippine Armed Forces visited an island occupied by the Philippines in the disputed waters last June. AFP chief Cirilito Sobejana visited the island to commend the soldiers for their service in protecting the island and its residents as well as “guarding the country’s territories” in the South China Sea.
This visit follows the diplomatic protests by the Philippines against the illegal presence of Chinese vessels within its Exclusive Economic Zone.
