In 2025, which two countries were involved in renewed tensions over the South China Sea, prompting international concern about maritime security?

Correct Answer: (C) China and the Philippines

Explanation:
● In April 2025, Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea became a flashpoint when the China Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard accused each other of dangerous manoeuvres.
● The region is critically important for global trade (over US $3 trillion of annual maritime commerce) and overlapping claims by both China and the Philippines stoke international concerns about freedom of navigation and regional stability.

Information Booster:
● China claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its “nine-dash line”, overlapping the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of several countries including the Philippines.
● The 2016 arbitral tribunal in The Hague ruled China’s broad claims invalid, a decision China rejects.
● Incidents in 2025 included vessel collisions, deployment of research vessels without authorisation and “water-cannon” type harassment near disputed islands.
● The situation has implications for major powers (e.g., the United States, Japan) and regional security alliances monitoring the Indo-Pacific.