Philippines and the US Launch Joint Patrols, Vietnam Increases Expansion, Philippines Rejects China's Prior Notice

Philippines and the US launch joint maritime and air patrols in the South China Sea to strengthen defense treaty alliance. Vietnam significantly increases South China Sea island expansion, making it the second largest island builder in the Spratly Islands. Philippines rejects China's call for prior notice on resupply missions and demands China to remove illegal structures in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.