Tensions continue to escalate in the South China Sea as Chinese coast guard vessels, including the 21556 vessel, engage in confrontations with Philippine and Japanese vessels near Huangyan Island, Ren'ai Jiao, and Diaoyu Islands. The Chinese coast guard used aggressive tactics against Philippine vessels attempting to deliver construction materials to an illegally grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao. A Japanese fishing boat and patrol vessels were also expelled from waters near the Diaoyu Islands. These incidents occur as Taiwan navigates a delicate balance to keep China calm ahead of the presidential election in January, and superpowers drift apart despite the close working relationship between John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua.
China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday expelled a Japanese vessel and several patrol ships that illegally entered China's territorial waters off the #Diaoyu Islands, spokesperson of the CCG said. (file pic) https://t.co/fMibv1DXfZ
Ahead of the presidential election in January, Taiwanese officials know that keeping China calm is a delicate balancing act. https://t.co/ydDBgKUw5A
China's coast guard said that a Japanese fishing boat and several patrol vessels intruded into waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea on Saturday. #Chinaa | #Japan | #EastChinaSea https://t.co/I4oOgXUYKH
China says Japanese vessels illegally entered territorial waters https://t.co/WGTsNyf7V5 https://t.co/6FG5XgVOvZ
#China Coast Guard 21556 vessel ramming the #Philippines resupply vessel Unaiza May 1 near 2nd Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) this morning. - Via @GordianKnotRay https://t.co/B5JgUimYwG
About 200 civilians from the Philippines sailed to the South China Sea amid heightened tensions that resulted in separate clashes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels throughout the weekend https://t.co/e2BXkpbdE0
China Coast Guard in accordance with the law and regulations conducted control measures on Sunday over four Philippine vessels that attempted to deliver construction materials to the #Philippines' illegally grounded warship at Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao, which violated… https://t.co/S86mrVKktD
Chinese ships try to stop BFAR resupply at Scarborough | ABS-CBN News-Ships of the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia on Saturday used aggressive maneuvers and water cannon https://t.co/8G5Y3WYEpq
Messages capture tense China-Taiwan warship standoff https://t.co/4VpJy1ULzh https://t.co/K1DHS1L1l4
Ahead of the presidential election in January, Taiwanese officials know that keeping China calm is a delicate balancing act. https://t.co/aDEep26JXd
The China Coast Guard said in a statement that it took control measures in line with the law against three Philippine vessels that intruded into the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Island on Saturday. (file pic) https://t.co/5wO0z8bxmf
John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua have forged a close working relationship as the superpowers they represent have drifted apart, @lili_pike writes. https://t.co/sRxCBKdAbg