South China Sea Currents

As Drake Long rounds out nine months of reporting for Radio Free Asia and BenarNews on the South China Sea, RFA's Mat Pennington discusses with him trends that have emerged during that period. They also talk about the possibility of conflict breaking out between the US and China in the future.

Radio Free Asia's Mat Pennington discusses with reporter Drake Long a new multimedia story that tracks the history of the evolving U.S. stance on the South China Sea since the aftermath of World War II until today's strategic rivalry with China. They also look ahead to what a Biden administration policy on the South China Sea might look like.

Radio Free Asia's Mat Pennington and Drake Long discuss China's efforts to upgrade tiny islets it holds in the disputed Paracel island chain in the South China Sea, and its drafting of a law that would authorize Chinese coast guard ships to use weapons against foreign vessels. They also look at what may lie behind the Philippines' recent lifting of a moratorium on oil exploration in its waters.

Is all the tough U.S. talk on China turning off America’s diplomatic partners? Radio Free Asia’s Mat Pennington and South China Sea reporter Drake Long discuss U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s week-long trip through Asia where he sought backing for a tougher stance against Beijing.

RFA's Mat Pennington and Drake Long discuss the US-Philippine alliance and the latest developments in Manila's agreement with China on oil exploration in the South China Sea. The podcast features an interview with former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Thomas Hubbard.

It's been a busy week. RFA's Drake Long and Mat Pennington first discuss Japan's recent drills in the South China Sea and the new Prime Minister's decision to visit Vietnam and Indonesia. Then they look at the tense situation in the skies over Pratas atoll, one of Taiwan's few outposts in the South China Sea, and the surprising announcement by Philippine Secretary of Energy Alfonso Cusi that the Philippines will open up its waters to energy exploration from international companies.

Radio Free Asia's Drake Long spotted a wave power generator near China's main outpost in the South China Sea. He and RFA's Mat Pennington discuss China's effort to reduce its reliance on diesel power to sustain its bases in Paracel and Spratlys. Features comments from Jonas Nahm, assistant professor for energy, resources, and the environment at Johns Hopkins University.

Weekly podcast by RFA's Mat Pennington and South China Sea reporter Drake Long. This week, Drake interviews John McManus, a professor of marine biology at the University of Miami, Florida, and one of the few experts on coral reefs in the South China Sea. McManus gives a snapshot of the current state of the environment in the South China Sea and clears up some misconceptions, as a fascinating discussion unfolds around the interplay of ecology, nationalist politics, and scientific diplomacy. Listen in to hear what has scientists concerned, and what they propose as a solution.

Radio Free Asia's Mat Pennington and Drake Long examine how China's militarization and assertive conduct in the South China Sea impacts commercial shipping in what is a key conduit for world trade.

In this week's podcast, Radio Free Asia's Mat Pennington and Drake Long discuss the submission to the United Nations by Britain, France and Germany rejecting China's claim to "historic rights" in the South China Sea.