- (World Socialist 3/5) Tensions escalate over the South China Sea - China, Taiwan, and the Philippines have each escalated their rhetoric regarding the contested oil-rich Spratly Islands and deployed troops and military equipment to the region.

- (Jakarta Globe 3/5) China Beefs up Maritime Patrol Force - China Marine Surveillance, the country's ocean monitoring agency, will hire more than 1,000 officers this year, bringing its total force to over 10,000, state-owned newspaper China Daily reported yesterday; (Manila Standard 3/5) China announces naval buildup to enforce claims; (BBC 2/5) China boosts marine surveillance over island tensions - A senior official has said.

- (Canberra Times 2/5) China risks clash with rivals over energy grab - The national laws validate China's claims; the UN treaty does not. If the struggle to control the South China Sea is based on power politics instead of current international law, Beijing will have the upper hand against weaker opponents.