U.S. Navy operations in South China Sea
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President-elect Joe Biden’s administration is expected to maintain, or even expand, Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea to challenge China’s sovereignty claims in the region
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CHINA
TAIWAN
Hainan (CHINA)
VIETNAM
MALAYSIA
PHILIPPINES
BRUNEI
SOUTH CHINA SEA

Extent of China’s claim

Scarborough Shoal: Claimed by Philippines, China and Taiwan

Paracel Islands: Under Chinese control – claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan

Spratly Islands: Claimed by China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei

Disputed islands occupied by China
Approximate location of FONOPs, based on public information

300km 185 miles
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Number of FONOPs in South China Sea (Fiscal years, Oct-Sep)

Guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer transiting South China Sea, Oct 2, 2019

Programme has escalated since Trump administration took over in 2017

2015 2 
2016 3
2017 5
2018 5
2019 10
2020 8
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Sources: Bloomberg, U.S. Department of Defense Picture: Rawad Madanat/U.S. NAVY © GRAPHIC NEWS