Looming Conflict on the South China Sea? | Correspondents

The South China Sea’s waters are a vital trade route, a rich fishing ground – and home to major oil and gas reserves.

But it’s also a battle ground between China and the Philippines – both countries, along with several Southeast Asian nations have competing claims over the waterway.

And confrontations – often violent ones – are ramping up between Chinese and Filipino vessels. Each side blames the other for provoking tensions.

So, could the South China Sea be the next flashpoint for armed conflict? And will the United States get dragged in?

In this episode of Correspondents, host Louise Watt is in Manila with Tristan Nodalo, head of reporters at NewsWatch Plus Philippines, and Manny Mogato, defense editor at OneNews, a Philippine news channel.

Also on the program: China and the Philippines accuse each other of sending spies to their country. And why are the Philippines armed forces preparing for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?

On the show:
00:00 – Intro
02:28 - Why are tensions rising in the South China Sea?
04:05 - The South China Sea: An underreported flashpoint?
06:11 - On the maritime row’s front lines
07:07 - Importance of disputed area to the Philippines
09:32 - Could war break out in the South China Sea?
10:33 - Do shifting U.S. policies worry Filipinos?
12:20 - U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines
13:26 - Does Manila expect Trump’s support?
15:19 - Philippine warnings over Chinese ‘infiltration’
16:36 - Is the Philippines sending spies to China?
20:11 - Philippine-U.S. drills to focus on war scenarios
21:16 - Philippines bracing for war over Taiwan
23:24 - Manila and Taipei's unofficial relations
24:32 - What’s on your Reporter’s Notebook?
  
Watch this episode of Correspondents, a show where we talk about the latest stories and what's going on behind the headlines with reporters in the Asia-Pacific region.    
  
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