| UPDATED: 14:52, Sat, Mar 13, 2021
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South China Sea: Expert predicts no conflict for five years Sign up to receive our rundown of the day s top stories direct to your inbox
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A French frigate docked at Cam Ranh Port in Vietnam on Tuesday for helicopter repairs, according to local reports. But the French ambassador to Vietnam said the frigate’s visit was in support of “freedom of navigation”, challenging China’s claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea.
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Tensions have been high in the region, with both US and Chinese forces carrying out military exercises throughout the South China Sea.
The document also mentioned dispensing and sustaining combat operations for extended periods “if needed”.
To accomplish this, the US Indo-Pacific Command is seeking $4.68 billion (£3.38 billion) in the upcoming fiscal year.
In a conference speech on March 1, Admiral Philip Davidson, leader of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said: “The greatest danger we face in the Indo-Pacific region is the erosion of conventional deterrence vis-à-vis China.
US military urges Congress to approve new missile defences (Image: Getty Images)
US and Philippine Marines during joint exercises 2018 (Image: Getty Images)
| UPDATED: 12:32, Thu, Feb 18, 2021
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South China Sea: Lorenzana on developing relationships Sign up to receive our rundown of the day s top stories direct to your inbox
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A report from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) think tank has told the US President a “severe crisis” in the South China Sea could start this year. It points to China’s increasingly aggressive actions towards Taiwan leading to a “dangerous flashpoint” for the US.
THE PHILIPPINES has snubbed the US attempts to contain the Chinese threat in the South China Sea as President Rodrigo Duterte is working on developing relationships in the region.