American and Chinese flags pictured in Beijing. Armed confrontation between the two powers looks increasingly likely. Photo: APAmerican and Chinese flags pictured in Beijing. Armed confrontation between the two powers looks increasingly likely. Photo: AP
American and Chinese flags pictured in Beijing. Armed confrontation between the two powers looks increasingly likely. Photo: AP
Michael Vatikiotis
Opinion

Opinion

Asian Angle by Michael Vatikiotis

As US and China limber up for strategic contest, which Asia battles will they pick to fight?

  • A sharp increase in US-China rivalry has shifted the focus of geopolitical competition to Asia, where new proxy conflicts could now erupt
  • The most likely locus of direct confrontation is in the South China Sea, says Michael Vatikiotis, though a Mekong River clash could be more worrying

Michael Vatikiotis

Updated: 9:02am, 31 Jul, 2020

Why you can trust SCMP
American and Chinese flags pictured in Beijing. Armed confrontation between the two powers looks increasingly likely. Photo: APAmerican and Chinese flags pictured in Beijing. Armed confrontation between the two powers looks increasingly likely. Photo: AP
American and Chinese flags pictured in Beijing. Armed confrontation between the two powers looks increasingly likely. Photo: AP
READ FULL ARTICLE