{
  "id": "ACM-SCS-DIS",
  "slug": "south-china-sea-disputes",
  "title": "South China Sea Disputes",
  "url": "https://armedconflicts.org/south-china-sea-disputes.html",
  "status": "Tensions",
  "intensity": "Elevated",
  "region": "Southeast Asia",
  "type": "Maritime dispute",
  "tracked_since": "1947",
  "revision": "2026-08-05",
  "sources": [
    "ACLED",
    "UCDP",
    "CFR Global Conflict Tracker"
  ],
  "locations": [
    {
      "name": "Scarborough Shoal",
      "type": "region",
      "lat": 15.1233,
      "lon": 117.7644,
      "description": "Reef claimed by both China and the Philippines, roughly 220 km from the Philippine coast; the scene of a 2012 standoff and repeated clashes since, including three incidents in a single week in July 2026.",
      "control": "China maintains a de facto coast guard presence since the 2012 standoff; the Philippines continues to assert its claim",
      "source": "Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker",
      "source_url": "https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea",
      "as_of": "2026-08-02"
    },
    {
      "name": "Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin)",
      "type": "region",
      "lat": 9.7147,
      "lon": 115.8617,
      "description": "Reef within the Philippines' claimed exclusive economic zone where a deliberately grounded Philippine navy ship, BRP Sierra Madre, maintains a small garrison; the site of a June 17, 2026 vessel collision.",
      "control": "Philippines maintains a military outpost via the grounded BRP Sierra Madre; China Coast Guard vessels conduct regular harassment patrols nearby",
      "source": "Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker",
      "source_url": "https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea",
      "as_of": "2026-08-02"
    },
    {
      "name": "Woody Island (Yongxing)",
      "type": "base",
      "lat": 16.8342,
      "lon": 112.3383,
      "description": "Largest of the Paracel Islands, administered by China as the seat of Sansha City.",
      "control": "China, which has militarized the island with fighter jets, cruise missiles, and a radar system",
      "source": "Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker",
      "source_url": "https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea",
      "as_of": "2026-08-02"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mischief Reef",
      "type": "base",
      "lat": 9.8917,
      "lon": 115.5325,
      "description": "Reef in the Spratly Islands, within the Philippines' claimed exclusive economic zone, where an artificial island with a military-capable airstrip has been built."
    },
    {
      "name": "Fiery Cross Reef",
      "type": "base",
      "lat": 9.5443,
      "lon": 112.8891,
      "description": "Reef in the Spratly Islands developed into an artificial island with an airstrip, radar, and other military facilities."
    },
    {
      "name": "Itu Aba (Taiping Island)",
      "type": "base",
      "lat": 10.3833,
      "lon": 114.3667,
      "description": "Largest naturally occurring island in the Spratly group, administered by Taiwan and garrisoned by its Coast Guard Administration."
    },
    {
      "name": "Palawan",
      "type": "port",
      "lat": 9.8349,
      "lon": 118.7384,
      "description": "Philippine island province closest to the contested Spratly Islands, host to Philippine naval facilities that support resupply missions to outlying garrisons."
    },
    {
      "name": "Subic Bay",
      "type": "base",
      "lat": 14.7942,
      "lon": 120.2825,
      "description": "Former US naval base on Luzon now used as a Philippine military and commercial port, increasingly hosting joint exercises with US and allied forces amid South China Sea tensions."
    }
  ],
  "revision_history": [
    {
      "date": "2026-08-05",
      "change": "Headlines refreshed",
      "source": "News feed"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-08-02",
      "change": "Scarborough Shoal control updated",
      "source": "Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-08-02",
      "change": "Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin) control updated",
      "source": "Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-08-02",
      "change": "Woody Island (Yongxing) control updated",
      "source": "Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker"
    }
  ]
}