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Tensions in the South China Sea have reached a boiling point as Chinese vessels repeatedly use aggressive tactics against Philippine ships in disputed waters. These actions defy a 2016 international ruling and directly challenge the rules-based order. For Canada, the escalating conflict is a critical test of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which commits to upholding international law and ensuring regional stability. Ottawa has condemned Beijing's behaviour and deployed naval assets to the region, but the crisis forces Canada to navigate complex diplomatic, security, and economic pressures in a volatile global flashpoint.