News Snapshot:
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts routine operations near the Chinese vessel Hai Yang Di Zhi 4 Hao on July 1. Photo: US Navy SCMP: US, Vietnam and Philippines accuse Beijing of ‘unlawful maritime claims’ with five-day drill in South China Sea * Exercises near the Paracel Islands break pledge not to militarise contested maritime region, says US Department of Defence* Vietnam’s foreign ministry says ‘violation of sovereignty’ may harm China’s relationship with Asean The United States, Vietnam and the Philippines have lashed out at China, accusing it of coercion as Beijing launches a military...
