Toward Decline
Chinese Cutters, Warships Block Philippine Resupply Mission to Second Thomas Shoal - USNI News
Why it matters
China's operational blockade of Philippine resupply to Second Thomas Shoal demonstrates PLA Coast Guard and naval capability to enforce area denial and coerce allied logistics without formal conflict. This directly undermines the freedom-of-navigation and resupply precedents that Australia and AUKUS partners depend on for force projection and alliance credibility in the Indo-Pacific, signaling elevated risk to Australian logistics, alliance cohesion, and the viability of rules-based order.
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