Taiwan also includes the island within its South China Sea claims that largely overlap with those of China. Prior to the announcement, South China Sea tensions had eased somewhat since Beijing erupted in fury last year after a Hague-based arbitration tribunal ruled on a case filed by the Philippines. China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have long contested ownership of the South China Sea, which straddles one of the world's busiest sea lanes and is believed to sit atop vast deposits of oil and gas. China and Vietnam have had long-running territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The two navies and their countries should "together play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea,'' Vice Adm Shen was quoted as saying by China's defence ministry.

Source: Bangkok Post March 17, 2017 09:47 UTC