11 things you may not know about Asia's territorial disputes
The neighbours share a great deal of culture but have had disagreements over their air space and maritime boundaries. Learn more
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (January 2019). Photo: EPA
China's annual defence budget of US$261 billion is more than triple India's US$71 billion. But China's war chest might not be enough to inflict a knockout blow. Learn more
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While troops from both sides have pulled back from the Pangong Tso glacial lake, friction remains and the dispute is far from settled. Learn more: #1, #2
Indian army vehicles move along a highway leading to Ladakh (September 2020). Photo: APA
Beijing claims most of the strategically important sea; the US says naval patrols are necessary to safeguard 'freedom of navigation'. Learn more
The USS Ronald Reagan had previously conducted operations in the South China Sea in July and August. Photo: EPA-EFE
The disputed waters have become a flashpoint for the intensifying US-China rivalry, raising concerns about the potential for a military clash. European countries, such as France, have also shown a growing interest in the Indo-Pacific and are planning to work with Quad nations. Learn more: #1, #2, #3
The US Navy aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis transits the South China Sea in 2019. Photo: Reuters
China, Vietnam and the Philippines occupy the most features in the contested waters, and many of their claims overlap. Learn more
Construction is visible on the Vietnam-controlled Southwest Cay, in the Spratly Islands. Photo: Reuters
The island chain in the East China Sea is made up of five islets and three barren rocks. It is claimed by mainland China, which calls them the Diaoyus, Taiwan, which refers to them as the Diaoyutai, and Japan, which calls them the Senkakus. Learn more
Minamikojima (front), Kitakojima (middle right) and Uotsuri (background) are the tiny islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Photo: AP
Mainland China has territorial disputes with India, Japan, Taiwan and various Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea. Learn more
Called the Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan, the islands are at the heart of a feud that has prevented Russia and Japan signing a formal World War II peace treaty. Learn more
Boats at a harbour on the island of Iturup, or Etorofu in Japanese, one of the Kuril Islands. Photo: AFP
Joe Biden is expected to walk a fine line that offers support to Taipei but does not antagonise Beijing. Learn more
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidency even though he has not spelt out his position on US-Taiwan relations. Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is sceptical of closer ties with mainland China; Beijing fears this could encourage pro-independence sentiment. Learn more
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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