Xi’s armada is winning the battle for energy in South China Sea

News Snapshot:

China’s increasingly assertive stance has sparked a flurry of diplomatic and military efforts aimed at countering Beijing’s footprint. Flagship military drills between the US and Philippines that got underway this week have grown in the past few years. China tensions were also at the top of the agenda during an April 11 meeting in Washington between US President Joe Biden, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The three leaders agreed to step up military exercises, while Biden emphasised support for a seven-decade-old defence pact with Manila. “Any attack on Philippine aircraft, vessels or armed forces...