Geopolitical changes and the ongoing rivalry between the United States and China have led to an unusual increase in maritime manoeuvrings and realignments in the region, and analysts say the presence of more military assets – aerial as well as naval – has heightened the risk of accidents and confrontations. “There are certainly legitimate concerns on whether such incidents on the ground could potentially lead to escalation,” said Dr Collin Koh, a Research Fellow from the RSIS in Singapore.