South China Sea NewsWire
The monthly roundup of what matters
Security
In this article, Sherry Chen, the research associate at South China Sea NewsWire, argues that while China’s military is capable of taking Taiwan by force, Xi Jinping’s vision is far more expansive. Xi aims to project Chinese civilization globally. Strategically, he draws on Sun Tzu’s principle of winning without fighting; tactically, he adopts a Go-like approach of encirclement without direct assault. For Xi, now is not the time to strike but to shape.
Environment
An Exclusive Interview with James Borton on Marine Protected Areas | SCSNW
The SCSNW interviews James Borton, our very own Editor-in-Chief and author of the new book Harvesting the Waves: How Blue Parks Shape Policy, Politics, and Peacebuilding in the South China Sea on marine protected areas (“MPAs”), their value for environmental conservation, and how MPA practices in the Mediterranean Sea might be of similar use and value in the South China Sea.
Environment
Currents of Cooperation: Marine Life and Diplomacy in the South China Sea | James Borton
In this special report, James Borton—editor of the South China Sea NewsWire and author of the new book Harvesting the Waves: How Blue Parks Shape Policy, Politics, and Peacebuilding in the South China Sea—argues that science, not sovereignty, could chart a new course for the region. With Chinese marine scientists increasingly recognizing the need for more marine protected areas, Borton suggests they could become unlikely ambassadors in a growing movement for science diplomacy and shared stewardship.
Environment
Philippines Eyes Environmental Path to Reinforce Sovereignty Over Scarborough Shoal | James Borton
SCSNW Editor-in-Chief James Borton, speaking as a panelist as part of a webinar titled “Scarborough Shoal: Facing Facts and Exploring Options“, considers recent moves by the Philippines to push back against China’s territorial claims by labeling the aforementioned shoal as a marine protected area (MAP) and the potential associated environmental and diplomatic benefits.
Diplomacy
Insights on the 2025 Boao Forum | Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
SCSNW Advisory Board Member Lucio Blanco Pitlo III attended the 2025 Boao Forum in Hainan, China and offers his insightful observations and highlights from the program.
Diplomacy
Taiwan Needs ‘America First’ | Dean Karalekas
Contributing author Dr. Dean Karalekas rebuts the prevailing thought that the election of Donald Trump is a threat to Taiwan’s continued de facto independence. Conversely, Dr. Karalekas argues that the United States has the most to lose besides Taiwan itself in the event of a PRC occupation of the island and that the Trump Administration, properly advised, will recognize this and act accordingly.
Diplomacy
Editor’s Briefing on Significance of Quad Meeting in Delaware | James Borton
SCSNW Editor-in-Chief James Borton opines on the recent meeting of Quad Leaders with U.S. President Joe Biden in Delaware. Borton further offers his thoughts on the importance of the Quad as a geopolitical grouping in the South China Sea in the face of Chinese aggression in the region.
Security
An Exclusive Interview with Gregory Poling | James Borton
SCSNW Editor-in-Chief James Borton interviews Gregory Poling, Director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on the situation in the South China Sea, the possibility for peaceful management of regional resource disputes and navigational operations, and the prospects of AUKUS and Chinese hostilities against Taiwan.
Security
An Exclusive Interview with Carlyle Thayer | James Borton
SCSNW Editor-in-Chief James Borton interviews Carlyle Thayer, Emeritus Professor at The University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra and a member of the South China Sea NewsWire Advisory Board, on the situation in the South China Sea, the possibility for peaceful management of regional resource disputes and navigational operations, and the prospects of AUKUS and Chinese hostilities against Taiwan.
Security
SCSNW Advisor Ray Powell Targeted by Chinese State Media | SCSNW
On May 15, 2024, CGTN’s “The Point” television program aired a segment attacking SCSNW Advisory Board Member Ray Powell, claiming that he is an agitator paid by the United States government to attack China’s actions in the South China Sea. The shocking incident is another instance of Chinese state media targeting overseas commentators who disagree with Beijing’s official narratives.
Security
An Exclusive Interview With Lucio Blanco Pitlo III | James Borton
SCSNW Editor-in-Chief James Borton interviews Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, a Southeast Asia foreign policy and security analyst and a member of the South China Sea NewsWire Advisory Board, on the relationships between the Philippines and other partners such as the United States and Vietnam as well as recent steps Manila has taken to shore up its regional defense agreements.
Security
An Exclusive Interview With Ray Powell | James Borton
SCSNW Editor-in-Chief James Borton interviews Ray Powell, the Director of SeaLight and a member of the South China Sea NewsWire Advisory Board, on gray zone activities in the South China Sea, what some states like the Philippines have done in response, and how SeaLight and the United States fit into countering those activities.
Diplomacy
Vietnam’s national interest remains the East Sea | Hanh Thi Hong Dau
Contributing author Hanh Thi Hong Dau delves into the national interests of Vietnam in both the South China Sea (or East Sea in Vietnam) and the Mekong River Delta. She explores Hanoi’s interests in these regions, expressed through national sovereignty and economic development, before considering if Hanoi has changed its priorities by favoring one region over the other.
Security
Managing Editor David Hessen examines a growing number of actions taken by both the Philippines and Japan to shore up ties with the United States and each other in the face of consistent Chinese saber-rattling in the South China Sea. The author then explores the strategic thinking behind some of these moves and what other steps they may eventually lead to.
Economy
The Blue Economy: Problems & Potentials in the South China Sea | Sumathy Permal & Cheryl Rita Kaur
In this article, Sumathy Permal and Cheryl Rita Kaur examine just what is a “Blue Economy” conceptually, what economic sectors it incorporates, and the potential benefits for a nation to develop its blue economy. They then discuss what Malaysia specifically has done to advance its blue economy before considering what steps Malaysia must take to keep that blue economy successful.
Our monthly news aggregator identifies the central articles on news and regional developments. Our team of editors offer concise summaries for easy access to articles, conferences, podcasts, videos and integrated media.
