Beijing Turns Up Heat on Manila to Assert South China Sea Dominance, Experts Say

Beijing Turns Up Heat on Manila to Assert South China Sea Dominance, Experts Say

Beijing is escalating its coercion to isolate Manila within Southeast Asia and assert dominance over the South China Sea, experts warn. China’s Maritime Safety Administration said on Sept. 24 that live-fire drills would be held in parts of the South China Sea from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 and Sept. 30, during which ships would be barred from entering the area. Coordinates listed in the notice show the no-sail zone lies in waters south of the…