US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on July 8 has stressed the need for countries to work together in dealing with China's stepped-up activities in regional waters.

A violent clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers broke out at a strategic mountain pass in the Himalayas on Saturday, May 9. Troops also threw stones in face-off involving 150 soldiers at remote crossing point near Tibet, says Indian army.

The U.S. Navy sent a pair of ships to patrol in the vicinity of a mineral rights dispute between Malaysia and China in the South China Sea (Vietnam called the East Sea - BienDong) for the second time in a month while tensions are expected to rise in the South China Sea after Beijing's annual summer ban on fishing in the disputed waters drew protests from rival claimants.

China’s ill actions in the East Sea have violated the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of Vietnam and other countries and restricted freedom of aviation, navigation, and economic activities there. In the face of China’s bullying, Vietnam has been persistent and uncompromising in defending its national sovereignty against China’s aggression.