Beijing is pushing a new 'front line' in the South China Sea

Hong Kong (CNN)Chinese and Malaysian vessels were locked in a high-stakes standoff for more than one month earlier this year, near the island of Borneo in the South China Sea. The Malaysian-authorized drill ship, the West Capella, was looking for resources in waters also claimed by Beijing, when a Chinese survey vessel, accompanied by coast guard ships, sailed into the area and began conducting scans, according to satellite images analyzed by the Asia Maritime Transparency Institute (AMTI). Malaysia deployed naval vessels to the area, which were later backed by US warships that had been on joint exercises in the South China Sea. Beijing claimed it was conducting "normal activities in waters...