South China Sea Watch: China holds drills amid new tensions

BEIJING: A look at developments in , where China is pitted against smaller neighbours in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons. The waters are a major commercial shipping route and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves. CHINA HOLDS NEW DRILLS AMID UPTICK IN TENSIONS China is holding new military exercises in the South China Sea amid an uptick in tensions between the Asian giant and its Southeast Asian neighbours and the U.S. The Maritime Safety Administration issued a pair of announcements blocking off seas around the area of the exercises running Sunday through Monday but gave no additional details. China holds regular drills in the area and there...