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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

Many wind and solar plants in China strangled amid global energy crisis: report

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A new report says China’s “wasted” wind and solar energy stems from inflexible grid management that continues to position coal as a stabilising source of power and stymies a clean energy expansion. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese robot helps children with nerve disorder stand up for the first time

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Feng Yanggang, the study’s corresponding author and a Beihang University professor, says resistive rather than assistive wearable robots may be more suitable for fostering progressive neuromuscular growth in individuals with spinal muscular atrophy. Photo: Handout

Chinese AI lets everyday users command quantum computing with natural language

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Researchers and developers can access the system through a lightweight interface rather than building quantum environments from scratch. Photo: Shutterstock

Chip prodigy returns to China, hybrid crop grown in desert: 7 science highlights

Chip expert Da Bo, deeply involved in the building of TSMC’s 3nm plant in Japan, has returned to China with his team. Photo: Handout

Can China’s caesium-from-brine tech cut reliance on Canadian, Australian ores?

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The Tanco mine in Canada is among the major global commercial sources of caesium. China’s Sinomine Resources controls operations here. Photo: Handout
MORE China Science NEWS
Japan and the Philippines began to bolster their defense links in August last year. Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Bloomberg via AP
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

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Taiwan

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

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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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China’s foreign ministry has accused Gilberto Teodoro Jnr of having “no sense of gratitude” following comments by the Philippine defence chief about Beijing’s offers of aid. Photo: AFP
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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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.

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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A Chinese coastguard vessel patrols the disputed South China Sea on May 23. Photo: Xinhua
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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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.

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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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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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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.

The Philippines

Beijing accuses Manila of ‘selective and discriminatory’ Chinese arrests

Embassy urges the Philippines to protect ‘personal safety and legitimate rights’ of detainees after 24 Chinese nationals arrested on Monday.

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Chinese embassy personnel pay a consular visit to nationals held at a Philippine detention centre on May 18. Photo: Chinese embassy in the Philippines
China’s coastguard

China slams ‘provocative acts’ after driving Dutch warship away from Paracels

PLA says it used electronic interference and warnings against Dutch frigate as tensions widen in South China Sea.

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The Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter arrives in Indonesia on May 14. The ship was diven away from the disputed Paracel Islands by China’s coastguard on Wednesday, according to Chinese authorities. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summit

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong braces for Friday scorcher as mercury climbs to 33.7 degrees

Heatwave expected to peak on Friday, triggering ‘extremely hot’ daytime forecast with temperatures of 36 to 37 degrees in New Territories.

China’s military drills

Type 054B frigate makes carrier force debut with Liaoning for live-fire drills

No sign of J-35 stealth fighter but the PLA Navy’s newest and most advanced frigate makes its carrier force debut.

A file photo of a fighter jet taking off from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier in a previous exercise. Photo: Japan Ministry of Defence
East China Sea

As allies boost Taiwan Strait transits, why is the US going a different route?

Chinese think tank notes the changing risks: ‘China will inevitably respond, and that makes the overall situation appear more tense’.

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A Chinese think tank says a shift in US transits through Taiwan Strait is consistent with broader trends in China-US military interactions since their 2023 leadership summit. Photo:AP
US-China relations

Quad foreign ministers fight for relevance as leaders’ summit remains elusive

Critical minerals and Indo-Pacific security took centre stage amid doubts over US commitment and a delayed leaders’ summit.

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Indonesia

How US military aircraft repair hub could threaten Indonesian neutrality

If Indonesia turns Kertajati Airport into a Hercules repair hub, it risks being seen as siding with the US in times of war, analysts say.

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