Sabina Shoal: US Navy Hits Back at China — No 'Permission' Needed | Taiwan Talks EP953

The US and China are clashing over freedom of navigation near Sabina Shoal as Beijing challenges a US Navy operation in waters inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). After China accused the USS Charleston of “illegally intruding,” the US Seventh Fleet rejected the claim, insisting that all nations retain lawful navigation rights in the area. At the same time, China has intensified pressure with a 27-aircraft combat-readiness patrol around Taiwan and coordinated coast guard, research vessel and maritime militia activity near the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands other sensitive waters. In this episode, we examine Beijing’s attempts to expand its sovereignty claims beyond its own EEZ, the responses of Washington and its partners, and what these developments could mean for regional security and stability.

*Recorded on October 22, 2026 at 4pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Planner: Miguel Yang
Consultant: Max Yu
Videographer: Celest Kao

Our guests:

Lobsang Sangay
- Former Central Tibetan Administration President
Roy Kamphausen
- National Bureau of Asian Research Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Former President
Guermantes Lailari
- Jewish Policy Center Senior Non-Resident Fellow

Chapters:
00:00:00 – US Pushes Back on China
00:01:57 – Beijing Accuses US of Intrusion
00:10:47 – Beijing Targets Taiwan’s Islands
00:17:58 – China Patrols Around Taiwan





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