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

Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US

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China’s Long March 12A, the country’s first state-owned reusable rocket, has failed on its debut launch on Tuesday morning. Photo: Weibo

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

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The team that identified the security flaw has urged manufacturers to establish their own security systems or seek external help. Photo: Xinhua

Well-preserved section of China’s 2,200-year-old four-lane highway discovered

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A previously identified section of the road. Archaelogists are slowly piecing togther the whole route. Photo: Handout

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

DeepSeek is being touted as China’s secret weapon in the artificial intelligence war with the US. Photo: AFP

Exclusive | ‘No need to explain’: leading mRNA vaccine expert Hu Haitao leaves US for China

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Leading mRNA immunologist Hu Haitao has joined the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Microbiology in Beijing. Photo: Handout
MORE China Science NEWS
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Open Questions series

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

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China-Japan relations

China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns

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The Philippines

Philippines struggles to win back Chinese tourists as regional rivals surge

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The Philippines

Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’

A US senator says the support for Manila and other allies reflects the threats posed by China and its partners in the ‘axis of aggressors’.

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US and Filipino soldiers fire a howitzer during the annual joint “Balikatan” military exercises in Aparri, Cagayan province, Philippines in May. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

PLA’s Fujian aircraft carrier transits Taiwan Strait as Taipei watches closely

Island’s defence ministry says vessel’s passage through the waterway showed ‘no military intent’ and no aircraft were seen on its deck.

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US-China relations

US denies Indo-Pacific retreat, says aid is being recalibrated to counter China

Washington argues that targeted assistance and partnerships will deepen regional ties and deliver longer-term economic and security gains.

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China-Philippines relations

China accuses Philippines of ‘premeditated’ provocations near Sabina Shoal

Meanwhile, Manila says Philippine fishing boats were targeted by Chinese coastguard water cannons near disputed South China Sea reef.

A Chinese coastguard ship is seen deploying a water cannon towards a smaller vessel in a video shared on Saturday by the Philippine coastguard. Photo: Handout
US-Asean relations

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

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The Philippines

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

Rising anxieties over Beijing and Moscow have united Berlin and Manila in an axis that must now be institutionalised to ensure it endures.

The Philippines

Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?

The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.

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A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet performs at an airshow in Qawra, Malta, in September. Photo: Reuters
China-Philippines relations

New South China Sea clashes erupt as Beijing pushes for better Philippine ties

Incidents near the disputed Scarborough and Sabina shoals threaten to undermine recent efforts to put relations on a ‘healthier’ footing.

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China’s ambassador Jing Quan presents his credentials to President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: Philippines Presidential Communications Office
Mainland China

Why are South China Sea disputes hard to settle? Expert cites power asymmetry

Chinese analysts say Beijing supports Asean’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ too, so long as sovereignty claims are resolved bilaterally.

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China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

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China-Japan relations

US joins Japan for military exercise amid Takaichi China row

The Japanese and US air forces flew a training mission over the Sea of Japan in wake of complaints from Tokyo about Chinese military activities in the region.

Japanese F-15 fighters and US B-52 bombers over the Sea of Japan. Photo: Defense Ministry of Japan via Reuters
Taiwan

Beijing seeks ‘fair and just maritime order’ in South China Sea

Vice-minister Sun Weidong says China rejects 2016 arbitration ruling on disputed waters because it breaches fundamentals in international law.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel (right) fires its water cannon at the Philippine’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya in the South China Sea on October 12. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP
United States

Rubio and Hegseth discuss Indo-Pacific security with Australian counterparts

At the talks, Rubio hailed cooperation between the US and Canberra on critical minerals, defence production and troop deployments.

China-Philippines relations

China sends seasoned ‘America hand’ to serve as top envoy to Philippines

New ambassador arrives in Manila as South China Sea tensions flare and the Philippines draws closer to Washington on defence.

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US-China relations

Deterring Taiwan conflict a ‘priority’: US national security report

While Indo-Pacific features prominently in the document, the western hemisphere and domestic security are top White House concerns.

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In a new national security document, the White House says the US will “build a military capable of denying aggression anywhere in the first island chain”. Photo: US Navy via Getty Images
Vietnam

China ramps up surveillance equipment at Spratly Islands bases: US think tank

Satellites detect new radars and electronic warfare gear at South China Sea outposts, CSIS says.

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Vietnam

‘Strategic’: why are drones taking off among South China Sea claimant states?

Experts weigh the merits and limits of growing pivot in the region to uncrewed aircraft and the potential for 24/7 patrols.

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The Philippines

Chinese involvement stalls Manila Bay bridge project due to security fears

Philippines delays US$124 million infrastructure project after a maritime group raised concerns against China Harbour Engineering Company.

Illustration of Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge Project. Photo: Handout
India

As India prepares for missile test, presence of Chinese ships marks power jostle

At least four such Chinese vessels have been spotted in the strategic Indian Ocean recently, according to media reports.

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 seen at Colombo harbour, Sri Lanka, in 2023. It is one of four such Chinese vessels spotted in the strategic Indian Ocean recently. Photo: AP
China-Japan relations

China bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines

Japan’s possible sale of Type 03 missiles to Manila comes as Tokyo moves to loosen arms-export rules, raising fresh concerns in China.

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Mainland China

Senior Chinese diplomat takes swipe at US over deep-sea mining strategy

‘The oceans are not calm,’ vice-minister warns in comments aimed at Trump executive order pushing American exploitation of seabed minerals.

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Japan

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Environment

China gives disputed Scarborough Shoal a clean bill of health

The Philippines also claims the atoll and has accused Chinese crews of using cyanide to catch fish in the area.

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The reef systems at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea are healthy and resilient to climate change, according to a Chinese environmental report. Photo: CCTV
China technology

China’s mega dredger joins ranks of the world’s largest after passing sea trials

The Tongjun is the first Chinese-designed super dredging vessel to successfully complete its five-day testing.

The Philippines

How Philippines might navigate Asean’s divisions as it prepares to lead bloc

Analysts say the two challenges will weigh heavily on the Philippines’ agenda as chair of the bloc next year.

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