South China Sea

Chinese President Xi Jinping stood bolt upright and impassive on Friday as he inspected more than 3,000 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops in Hong Kong, the largest military parade in the city since its handover to China in 1997.

China has increased military presence in the South China Sea (SCS).The Red Army recently deployed a rocket launcher in disputed Fiery Cross Reef. The Chinese state-run media reported over the weekend that Beijing made the move in order to counter the Vietnamese aggression.

The Chinese government charged on May 25 that a U.S. warship had entered its waters in the South China Sea "without permission", prompting Beijing's navy to warn the vessel to leave.

A US Navy destroyer has sailed close to a disputed South China Sea island controlled by China for the first time under US President Donald Trump.
The USS Dewey sailed within 12 miles (20 kilometers) of Mischief Reef, in the Spratly Island chain, on Wednesday, in a “freedom of navigation operation,” according to a US official.

China yesterday sidestepped claims by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte that it had threatened to go to war over the disputed South China Sea.

Duterte, who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing last week, said May 19 that the leaders had raised conflict as an option to resolving their competing claims to the waters.  

Hong Kong has been exploring options for investments in Bulgaria in the area of infrastructure, the Deputy Representative for Economic and Trade Affairs of that Chinese region for the European Union Sam Hui told the Bulgarian National Radio.

He said that Hong Kong could play a special role and was looking for opportunities for furtherance of cooperation with partners in Bulgaria.

A United States aircraft carrier strike group has begun patrols in the South China Sea amid growing tension with China over control of the disputed waterway and concerns it could become a flashpoint under the new U.S. administration.

China's Foreign Ministry on Feb. 15 warned Washington against challenging its sovereignty in the South China Sea.

BELGRADE - China has warned the United States it would not retreat from claims that it controls the South China Sea. VOA reports.

Prospective U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson better watch his mouth, angry Chinese media said Jan. 13, warning U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee that his threats to block China in the South China Sea are fighting words.

China has returned a U.S. underwater drone taken by one of its naval vessels in the disputed South China Sea last week after what it said were friendly talks with the United States, which reiterated its criticism of the "unlawful" seizure.