Nine-dash lineThe South China Sea is one of the most hotly contested regions in the world, with competing claims from China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan and Indonesia. The year began with a standoff in the Natuna Islands on the far southern end of the South China Sea, territory claimed by China and Indonesia. The act prompted Vietnam to send a diplomatic note to the United Nations restating its sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. "(It will want to show that) the economic problems that China is facing will not impact its policy on the South China Sea." Washington is also working to directly support Southeast Asian nations in the South China Sea.

Source: CNN June 08, 2020 00:33 UTC