Navy Times
Date: January 20, 2020
By: The Associated Press

Seaman Marshall Key reports contact during a Thursday transit of the Taiwan Strait on board the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser Shiloh. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chanel L. Turner/Navy)

BEIJING — Here’s a look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons.

The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves.

CHINA MARKS PASSAGE OF US WARSHIPS IN TAIWAN STRAIT

China says it monitored the passage of a U.S. Navy ship through the Taiwan Strait last week, just days after the island’s pro-independence president won reelection.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Friday that China had been "fully aware" of and "following closely the whole process."    [FULL  STORY]