A $150 billion investment pledge from South Korean companies, an order of 103 airplanes from Boeing, as well as a purchase of South Korean ships was announced

A top South Korean official said on Monday that the U.S. and South Korea had decided to establish a non-binding agreement to define the operation and structure of $350 billion in investment funds agreed as part of a July trade deal.

All 21 Vietnam-held rocks and reefs in the Spratly Islands have been expanded using land reclamation techniques, says the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.

Several nations are vying for control over the Spratly Islands - an archipelago of tiny islands and reefs located in vital shipping lanes

Artificial islands housing munitions and aircraft created in an attempt to lay claim to disputed islands vital for shipping