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South China Sea
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South China Sea

South China Sea
South China Sea
The latest news on South China Sea territorial disputes. The contrasting claims have been an ongoing point of contention among several countries including China, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines.
LATEST China Science NEWS

China launches new satellite to test high-speed communication tech

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Thursday marked the 11th flight of the Long March 5 series and its first launch of 2026. Photo: Xinhua

Don’t panic if you see a snake on a Chinese power line. It might be a robot

The robotic snake’s head is equipped with a camera and sensors to identify safety hazards, while the tail has a power harvesting device that lets it draw power from the lines it is inspecting. Photo: qq.com

Starlink rival Qianfan hits satellite milestone, but is it too slow and costly?

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A Long March-12B Y1 rocket blasts off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone on June 1, carrying satellites for the Qianfan constellation. Photo: Xinhua

China delivers first samples collected from far side of the moon to Russia

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The Chang’e-6 mission was the first to collect samples from the far side of the moon. Photo: AP

China’s rail gun milestone: guided projectile prototype passes real firing test

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A prototype of a chip-protecting component for China’s guided rail gun shell used in a live firing test. Photo: North University of China
MORE China Science NEWS
A Chinese research institute says it deployed a floating platform at Scarborough Shoal for environmental monitoring and sampling. Photo: Handout via Reuters
The Philippines

Mystery platform? China says it was carrying out research at Scarborough Shoal

Announcement comes after Manila lodged diplomatic protest over ‘illegal presence’ of a floating structure at the disputed atoll.

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The Philippines

Is that a Chinese antenna at Scarborough Shoal? The Philippines thinks so

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Science

China’s test flight of a giant coil array: can it detect nuclear submarines?

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Taiwan

Beijing sends largest patrol ship east of Taiwan after Japan-Philippine talks

Communist Party mouthpiece warns the two countries are becoming a ‘source of trouble’ and putting regional peace at risk.

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Haixun 09, Beijing's largest patrol ship, is part of the flotilla sent east of Taiwan. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

PLA says it will stay on ‘high alert’ after Dutch warship crosses Taiwan Strait

Beijing says the De Ruyter had made the transit days after an ‘illegal intrusion’ into its airspace near the disputed Paracel Islands.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ UN defeat: a result of domestic ‘political circus’, close ties with US?

Kyrgyzstan won a seat on the UN Security Council due to perceptions of its neutrality and Central Asia’s under-representation, analysts say.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong records hottest day of year so far as hail warning issued

Forecaster issues ‘very hot weather’ warning at 7.45am, followed by thunderstorm alert at 11.50am.

Hong Kong recorded its hottest day of the day so far on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse
Taiwan

Are Japan-Philippines talks a maritime red line for China’s blue-water ambitions?

Analysts warn the Tokyo-Manila boundary negotiations will be seen in Beijing as an attempt to challenge its position on Taiwan.

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China-Japan relations

How Beijing could use its military and trade to hit back at Tokyo-Manila ties

Chinese experts warn the pair could pose a threat in a conflict over Taiwan, urge tough economic and military measures.

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US-China relations

Taiwan opposition leader promotes cross-strait peace during US trip

Cheng Li-wun is in San Francisco at the start of a two-week US visit that is being closely monitored in Beijing, Taipei and Washington.

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Taiwan’s main opposition leader Cheng Li-wun started her two-week US trip in San Francisco. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

How Japan, Philippines are building a maritime security front against China

Tokyo-Manila defence cooperation is linking Pacific flashpoints, with broad implications for Beijing, analysts say.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) shakes hands with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in Tokyo on May 28. Photo: Kyodo
China-Philippines relations

Beijing to Manila: don’t let ‘clowns’ sabotage ties with ‘political theatrics’

Beijing condemns remarks by Philippine defence chief, who says Manila is under ‘severe threat’ from China despite fertiliser and fuel offers.

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US-China relations

Editorial | Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China

While Washington and Beijing softened their rhetoric this year, the US-dominated forum is exhausting its function as a space for engagement.

The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos gets worst rating of his presidency so far. Here’s why

A net satisfaction rating of minus 15 marks the worst showing of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s presidency so far.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo
Taiwan

Taiwan targets Beijing’s grey-zone tactics near remote South China Sea islands

Surge in mainland Chinese coastguard vessels around the Dongsha over past year fuels concerns in Taiwan, with navy tasked to help respond.

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The Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands are located in the northern part of the South China Sea. Photo: CNA
US-China relations

US and China hold ‘candid’ maritime military safety talks in Hawaii

Officials discussed ways to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations during encounters between their forces.

The Philippines

Philippines and Vietnam close ranks on South China Sea as To Lam visits

The Vietnamese president is wrapping up a Southeast Asia tour aimed at shoring up regional security alliances.

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Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

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Participants speak at the Shangri-La Dialogue defence forum in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
The Philippines

Philippines says Beijing main hurdle to South China Sea code of conduct

Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, defence chief Teodoro blamed China for stalling the pact and stressed Asean’s unity on the issue.

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China-Japan relations

Japanese minister rejects ‘new militarism’ label from China in Shangri-La speech

‘Every country must be able to choose its future by its own will,’ Shinjiro Koizumi says at Singapore defence forum.

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Singapore

Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, the East Timor president cites Asean as an example of how communication can prevent conflict and yield dividends.

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Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Asean

Opinion | Why the Philippines walks a delicate balance as Asean chair

Manila’s success at the helm will depend on its ability to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations more operational than before.

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China's military weapons

Is PLA’s response to Dutch warship ‘putting down a marker’ in South China Sea?

Chinese military has claimed for the first time that it used ‘electronic countermeasures’ when the frigate entered disputed waters.

Taiwan

‘Illegal and void’: China condemns Japan-Philippines maritime border talks

Beijing says negotiations between Tokyo and Manila cover area east of Taiwan where it maintains exclusive economic zone.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) shake hands before talks in Tokyo on May 28, 2026. Photo: Kyodo
Vietnam

Vietnam, Philippines to forge stronger ‘alignment’ on 50 years of ties

Analysts say To Lam’s first visit to Manila as state leader signals Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and investment in Asean partnerships.

Vietnam’s President To Lam is due in the Philippines for a two-day state visit on Sunday and Monday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

China slams US commander’s ‘dagger’ label for South Korea

Chinese embassy in Seoul says US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson’s ‘hostile and aggressive remarks’ on podcast ‘crossed the line’.

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Malaysia

‘Tiger without fangs’: Malaysia navy faces turbulence over Norway’s missile ban

While Malaysia considers alternatives from ‘three to four countries’, analysts say an advanced missile system is crucial for its navy.

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