P8 Poseidon News

China's military carried out war games in the disputed South China Sea this week, with warships, submarines and fighter jets simulating cruise missile strikes on ships, the official People's Liberation Army Daily said on Friday. China claims almost all of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of maritime trade passes each year. The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims. The U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander on Monday warned of a possible arms race in the disputed South China Sea which could engulf the region, as nations become increasingly tempted to use military force to settle territorial spats.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reported that the search for signs of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 aircraft in the Australian search and rescue region has resumed following a day of suspension due to poor weather. Today’s operations commenced with a total of six countries now assisting in the operation: Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea. Assisting the naval portion of the search effort, HMAS Success and China’s polar supply ship Xue Long are currently in the search area.