US to integrate maritime forces to counter Chinese presence in South China Seas January 09, 2021 at 01:35AM

US is seeking to expand its "shiprider" agreements to claimant states in Southeast Asia, to give it legitimate access to the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Under those agreements, a country's patrol officials are allowed to board law enforcement vessels or aircraft of the US Coast Guard while they are on patrol, during which the former can authorise the latter to take action on their behalf.