Philippines Establishes Monitoring Base to Track Chinese Vessels in South China Sea

The Philippines has opened a new coast guard monitoring base on Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, with plans to expand joint patrols with the United States and Australia to counter China's actions in the region. High-seas confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships have increased, raising concerns of a larger conflict involving the United States. The Philippines, dwarfed by China's military might, has allowed an expansion of the U.S. military presence in its local camps and launched joint sea and air patrols with the U.S. and Australia. China has warned against joint naval patrols that could harm its territorial sovereignty.