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Mengzhen Liu

Mengzhen Liu

The Diplomat

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China’s Emerging Two Front Problem

Growing Japan-Philippines defense ties are linking the East China Sea and South China Sea.

30.01.2026 2

The Diplomat

Mengzhen Liu

Renewed Presence, Rising Tensions: Trump’s South China Sea Policy Is Taking Shape

Since Marcos’ visit in July, the White House has begun to take a noticeably sharper – and more confrontational – stance on the South China Sea...

23.08.2025 20

The Diplomat

Mengzhen Liu

The 2016 South China Sea Arbitration and the Limits of International Law 

The 2016 award did not bring a conclusive resolution to the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea. What other options are...

23.07.2025 8

The Diplomat

Mengzhen Liu

Maritime Rights and National Security: China’s Evolving Security Discourse

The concept of “maritime rights” is taking an increasingly central role in China’s framing of national security – and the Taiwan issue.

21.05.2025 4

The Diplomat

Mengzhen Liu