China conducts live-fire drills in Gulf of Tonkin amid territorial tensions

In February 2025, Chinese authorities initiated live-fire exercises in the Gulf of Tonkin, shortly after Vietnam delineated a new baseline to define its territorial waters in the region. This move comes amidst long-standing maritime disputes between China and Vietnam, particularly concerning their respective rights and claims over various parts of the South China Sea. The Gulf of Tonkin, which separates China and Vietnam, has historically been a point of contention, with both nations affirming their sovereignty over overlapping maritime territories. China's Maritime Safety Administration reported that the exercises would take place mainly in the Beibu Gulf area and be conducted through the evening of February 27, 2025. The lack of a public response from Vietnam concerning these military drills highlights the sensitivities surrounding the matter. Vietnam previously announced the new baseline in compliance with international maritime law, aimed at reinforcing its sovereign claims in the area. The announcement is seen as a response to China's aggressive stance on territorial claims in the region, which includes confrontations with fishing vessels and aggressive assertions of control over broader maritime territories. China’s claim to the majority of the South China Sea, represented by its infamous map with ten dashed lines, continues to be a major point of friction in international relations as its claims often conflict with those of neighboring countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Political leaders in Australia and New Zealand have emphasized the need for prior notification about military exercises in the region, reflecting broader international concerns regarding China's military posturing and the impact on regional stability. The ongoing military activities and territorial representations are likely to heighten tensions among the nations involved, complicating diplomatic relations and mutual agreements that have previously been established in the Gulf of Tonkin.