The escalating stand-offs between China and Vietnam, and between Beijing and Manila, will push Southeast Asian nations to build up their maritime capabilities, resulting in heightened tensions in the South China Sea, observers say.
The nations were also likely to embrace a stronger United States presence in the region to Beijing’s dismay, they said, pointing to a drill held this week by the US and the Philippines on unexpected marine encounters.
Long-running tensions between China and Vietnam rose last Saturday when Beijing announced drilling for oil in the disputed Paracel Islands.
At the same time, Beijing asked Manila to release a Chinese fishing boat and crew who were detained by the Philippines on suspicion of illegally entering its territorial waters and poaching sea turtles.