China is not seeking a sphere of influence in Pacific Ocean island states, President Xi Jinping told the visiting prime minister of Vanuatu amid fears in Western capitals of China’s growing role in the region.

Maritime legal controversies in the South China Sea are not as bad as they are often characterized. However, divides are exacerbated by American unwillingness to accept international standards such as the UN Law of the Sea — and made worse by the Eurocentric bias of current international law, which has long ignored Asian cultures and traditions.

The U.S. military has held talks with the Federated States of Micronesia about joint military exercises and new naval facilities.

Dispute with US reshapes commercial landscape of region, report from ADB finds.

Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the INF is mostly motivated by fear of China.

The US has a new commander in the Pacific. Here’s what to expect from him.

The collapse of the TPP was a result of discrepancies at three levels.

Washington’s current Asia-Pacific strategy is financially unsustainable. Instead of trying to organize a containment system, Washington should focus on advancing its few serious interests, such as freedom of navigation. Otherwise the U.S. should step back and leave China’s neighbors free to respond to whatever they believe necessary.

Secretary Mattis says he would explore deepening defense ties during visit to Indonesia.