Tensions are heating up again between the Philippines and China in the Spratly Islands as dozens of Chinese vessels swarm Philippine-controlled islands close to Second Thomas Shoal, where troops stationed on the rusting hulk of a ship hope for a Christmas resupply. And as Chinese military drills take place in the area, around Whitsun Reef alone, the Philippine Coast Guard recorded upward of 130 Chinese maritime militia and coast guard vessels over the weekend.
Our guests:
Yen Chen-shen
– Political science professor, National Chengchi University
Tony Hu
– Former U.S. Department of Defense senior director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia
Ronan Fu
– Assistant research fellow, Academia Sinica Institute of Political Science
And joining us from Sydney:
John Lee
– Senior fellow, Hudson Institute
– Senior national security adviser to former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop
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