Question 1

Why is the South China Sea disputed?

Accepted Answer

The sea is a key shipping route and hosts reserves of oil and gas. China's claims 90 per cent of the sea and its claims over lap with those of various Southeast Asian countries.

Question 2

What are rival claimants building on islands and reefs in the South China Sea?

Accepted Answer

China, Vietnam and the Philippines occupy the most features in the contested waters, and many of their claims overlap

Question 3

How is France involved in the South China Sea dispute?

Accepted Answer

Willingness to confront Beijing’s claims in the disputed waters reflects French interests in the Indo-Pacific and plans to work with Quad nations

Question 4

How may Joe Biden change the status quo between China and Taiwan?

Accepted Answer

Joe Biden is expected to walk a fine line that offers support to Taipei but does not antagonise Beijing

Question 5

Why are Beijing-Taipei tensions rising?

Accepted Answer

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is sceptical of closer ties with mainland China; Beijing fears this could encourage pro-independence sentiment.

Question 6

How do China and India's militaries stack up against each other?

Accepted Answer

China’s annual defence budget of US$261 billion is more than triple India’s US$71 billion. But China’s war chest might not be enough to inflict a knockout blow

Question 7

Why does the US send ships to patrol the South China Sea?

Accepted Answer

Beijing claims most of the strategically important sea; the US says naval patrols are necessary to safeguard 'freedom of navigation'.

Asia’s territorial disputes