This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On July 1-5, China conducted military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, sparking concerns from the US Department of Defense.
The Pentagon stated that these exercises 'further destabilize the situation' in the area claimed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
China's actions are seen as a violation of its commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which aims to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The declaration, signed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, emphasizes the importance of avoiding activities that would complicate or escalate disputes.
The US has long rejected China's territorial claim to much of the South China Sea, including the Paracels, and has accused China of asserting unlawful maritime claims and disadvantage its Southeast Asian neighbors.
The region is believed to have valuable oil and gas deposits, making it a contentious area in the region.
As tensions between the US and China continue to rise, particularly over the novel coronavirus epidemic, the Pentagon has urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid military activities that might aggravate disputes in the region.
