Following on from our previous episode, we review some of the key events since late July that appear to be contributing to increased tensions in the South China Sea. These include China's ongoing military exercises in the region as well as joint patrols carried out between the Philippines, its allies and its neighbors. These tensions reached a dangerous peak during an encounter between China's PLAAF fighter jets and a Philippines Air Force patrol plane on August 8th in the skies over Bajo De Masinloc (aka Second Thomas Shoal) during which the PLAAF dropped flares in the path of the Philippines' plane.
In this episode we share the official response from the Philippines to this encounter, as well as a statement from China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson. We also discuss how China's increasingly aggressive behavior is driving its neighbors to form stronger alliances as well as views from analysts on what might lay behind China's increased aggression.
Photo Credits: Armed Forces of the Philippines
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