South China Sea: US-China rivalry reshapes Asian security alliances

The South China Sea is becoming a focal point for Asian security as US-China competition intensifies, with Japan increasing support and internal divisions in Manila complicating the Philippines' stance. ASEAN remains central to managing escalation, but the evolving alliance dynamics signal a shift in regional power structures. The piece is analytical, not reporting a specific event, so the core claim is an emerging trend rather than a confirmed incident.