The Rubio Visit: A Glimpse into China's South China Sea Ambitions The recent arrival of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila has once again highlighted the simmering tensions in the South China Sea.
Beijing's aggressive actions have been met with growing concern from regional nations and their international backers.
Rubio's visit is a deliberate attempt to counterbalance China's expanding influence in the region, as he meets with ASEAN leaders to reaffirm Washington's commitment to freedom of navigation and regional defense.