The United States is considering intensified naval patrols in the South China Sea in a bid to challenge China’s growing militarization of the waterway, actions that could further raise the stakes in one of the world’s most volatile areas. The Pentagon is weighing a more assertive program of so-called freedomof-navigation operations close to Chinese installations on disputed reefs, two US officials and Western and Asian diplomats close to discussions said. The officials declined to say how close they were to finalizing a decision.

Wakefield, F. T. (2018, June 4). US eyes intensifying naval patrols in South China Sea. Manila Bulletin, p. 1, 11.