Asia Maritime Tensions: Get in depth news, commentary and analysis from the Financial Times

Senkaku Islands dispute

Clashes in the South and East China Seas have escalated significantly over the past two years, with Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam accusing Beijing of upsetting regional stability by aggressively claiming disputed territories and waters

From WORLD Jun 2, 2013

China and US stage rebalancing act

Chinese marine stands guard on the Chinese Navy frigate Huangshan after it arrived in Valletta's Grand Harbour

©Reuters

Chinese navy sails increasingly far from its shores

Editorial

Island stalemate

Arbitration is the only solution for China-Japan dispute

Beijing and Tokyo’s island challenge

Both sides must show restraint in responding to unrest

A squall in the East China Sea

Beijing and Tokyo must avoid escalating island dispute

©Reuters From WORLD Jun 2, 2013

China begins US economic zone patrols

Move by navy could transform dynamic between the two countries

From WORLD May 21, 2013

North Korea releases Chinese fishing boat

Boat owner said no ransom was paid

From WORLD May 15, 2013

Taiwan recalls envoy in Philippines

Taipei rejects Manila’s apology for fisherman’s death

A handout photo released by the Taiwan Coast Guard shows Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou during a speech as he condems the shooting death of a Taiwan fisherman by a Philippine Coast Guard, after watching a Taiwan Coast Guard's sea patrol drill at Taichung Harbour in Taichung, western Taiwan

©EPA From WORLD May 13, 2013

Taiwan warns Manila over shooting at sea

President threatens to halt visas for Filipino workers

Comment and analysis

Asia-Pacific: Desert island risks

©AP

A spat between Beijing, Taipei and Tokyo over islands in the East China Sea could ensnare the US

A Japan Coast Guard vessel, left, sails along with a Chinese surveillance ship, right, near disputed islands, rear, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China in the East China Sea on April 23 2013

©AP From WORLD Apr 23, 2013

Sino-Japanese tensions mount over Senkaku

Eight surveillance vessels enter Japanese territorial waters

From WORLD Apr 7, 2013

China opens disputed islets to tourists

Cruises to Paracels risk antagonising nations with rival claims

From WORLD Mar 10, 2013

China to merge maritime patrol units

Move could influence handling of territorial disputes

From WORLD Feb 22, 2013

Abe lays out vision of Japan power in Asia

‘Japan is back’ declaration could raise hackles in China

This aerial shot taken on September 15, 2010 shows the disputed islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China in the East China Sea

©Getty From WORLD Feb 8, 2013

China denies targeting Japanese ship

US Pacific Command chief calls for ‘de-escalation’

From WORLD Feb 7, 2013

Japan protests over Russian jet incursion

Moscow denies Tokyo claim that aircraft entered its airspace

From WORLD Feb 7, 2013

China extinguishes anti-Japan fireworks

Beijing appears to be working to keep tensions in check

From WORLD Feb 6, 2013

Senkaku row raises militarisation fears

Maritime dispute could spark China-Japan hostilities

From WORLD Feb 6, 2013

Abe blasts China over maritime incident

Tokyo accuses China of targeting Japanese ship

From WORLD Jan 29, 2013

Japan to raise defence spending

First increase for 11 years seen as response to Senkaku dispute

From WORLD Jan 25, 2013

China and Japan attempt to ease tensions

Xi Jinping urges both countries to show ‘political wisdom’

From WORLD Jan 22, 2013

Abe envoy wants islands dispute shelved

Japanese lawmaker leaves for China to deliver letter from PM

From WORLD Jan 22, 2013

Manila takes territorial dispute to court

Halt to Beijing’s activities in South China Sea sought

From WORLD Jan 21, 2013

Japan and China struggle to curb tensions

New leaders will not want to show weakness over disputed islands

From WORLD Jan 11, 2013

Japan and China island tensions mount

Fighter aircraft from each country shadow one another

From WORLD Jan 4, 2013

Abe moves to ease South Korea tensions

Japan sends special envoy to Seoul to meet incoming president

From WORLD Dec 30, 2012

Chinese fishing boat detained in Japan

Incident occurs at time of heightened tension over disputed islands

The World from WORLD Dec 16, 2012

The World: Abe’s win will jangle nerves in Washington

Tensions over disputed islands could rise further

From WORLD Dec 13, 2012

China flies aircraft over disputed islands

Tokyo scrambles fighter jets and makes formal protest

From WORLD Dec 3, 2012

Vietnam accuses China of maritime sabotage

Claims mark escalation of South China Sea dispute

VIDEO

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Senkaku/Diaoyu islands

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's PC3 surveillance plane flies around the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku isles in Japan and Diaoyu in China

Analysis

Chinese demonstrators set fire to a Japanese national flag during a protest over the Diaoyu islands