Source:
https://scmp.com/news/china/article/1508702/south-china-sea-becoming-boiling-pot-amid-rising-tensions-analysts-say
China

South China Sea becoming 'boiling pot' amid rising tensions, analysts say

Tensions will prompt Southeast Asian nations to take a stronger defence posture and further embrace US regional pivot, analysts say

A Chinese ship uses water cannon on a Vietnamese Sea Guard ship on the South China Sea near the Paracels islands. Photo: Reuters

The escalating stand-offs between China and Vietnam, and between Beijing and Manila, will push Southeast Asian nations to build up their maritime capabilities, resulting in heightened tensions in the South China Sea, observers say.

The nations were also likely to embrace a stronger United States presence in the region to Beijing's dismay, they said, pointing to a drill held this week by the US and the Philippines on unexpected marine encounters.