China’s claims in the South China Sea, underpinned by the controversial ‘nine-dash line,’ have led to conflicts with numerous Southeast Asian nations. This article examines each major territorial dispute, highlighting how they contribute to China’s ambition for regional dominance. It also explores countermeasures employed by regional powers and their allies to push back against China’s aggressive tactics, emphasizing the importance of a rules-based order for stability in the region.
The Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries cargo ship has brought renewed attention to the escalating attacks on merchant ships and seafarers in the Middle East. The industry has called on the United Nations to provide enhanced military protection for supply chains in the region. The ship was seized on April 13, 50 nautical miles off the United Arab Emirates coast, and is reportedly carrying over 22 metric tons of potassium nitrate, a chemical product used as fertilizer in agricultural projects, to customers in Uzbekistan.
Japan has expanded its Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT) initiative to the Pacific Islands, dispatching units to the Marshall Islands and Micronesia for training and assistance. The program, which aims to enhance regional capacity in search and rescue, law enforcement, and oil spill prevention, is seen as a countermeasure to China’s expanding naval presence in the region. Tokyo has also provided patrol vessels and offered lectures on international maritime law to Pacific nations. Experts believe Japan’s assistance could help prevent the islands from falling under Beijing’s influence and ensure the security of shipping routes across the Pacific.
