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China-Philippines relations

Is it time for Manila and Beijing to resume talks over the South China Sea row?

China has been ‘dragging its feet’ to hold talks over the issue, such as establishing a binding code of conduct, an analyst says.

2 hours ago

‘Pressing challenge’: Philippines ramps up cyber fight against disinformation

8 Nov 2024 - 10:16AMvideocam

Philippines not expected to turn up heat in South China Sea after US election

6 Nov 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Philippines renews demand China pay US$1 million for sea clash damages

China has yet to respond to the call, which includes payment for two damaged boats and the return of rifles seized during the June 17 stand-off.

5 Nov 2024 - 11:33AMvideocam

Chinese coastguard personnel during a confrontation with the Philippine navy in the disputed South China Sea in June. Photo: AFP

Philippine military to simulate seizing South China Sea island

Asked how China may react, defence officials in Manila said they expected Chinese forces to ‘watch, and we don’t mind’.

5 Nov 2024 - 11:14AMvideocam

Philippine coastguard hailed for role against China - but it won’t get new ships

The coastguard’s US$537 million budget for next year is mostly allocated for personnel-related expenses.

31 Oct 2024 - 8:41PMvideocam

‘Scratch the surface’: Manila probes land-owning Chinese with fake citizenship

These Chinese nationals reportedly own huge plots of land in Luzon after acquiring fake Philippine citizenship, local reports say.

31 Oct 2024 - 8:46PMvideocam

A naval base in Santa Ana, Cagayan, the Philippines. Analysts have warned of shady properties bought by Chinese nationals located near military bases in the country. Photo: EPA-EFE

South China Sea: how does Philippines’ coastguard measure up against others?

Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam have boosted their naval and coastguard assets as tensions in the disputed waters continue to simmer.

31 Oct 2024 - 3:24PMvideocam

Could China-India border pact be a map to peace for Manila in South China Sea?

Senator Imee Marcos said Beijing and New Delhi’s border pact proves dialogue can work, but analysts say Manila lacks the same leverage.

29 Oct 2024 - 5:11PMvideocam

Amid South China Sea spat, Manila could look to Jakarta’s ‘quiet diplomacy’

Analysts at a forum urged Manila to strengthen ties with Jakarta to leverage Indonesia’s regional leadership and economic power against China’s claims.

29 Oct 2024 - 4:42PMvideocam

A woman waves the Philippine and Indonesian flags as an Indonesian Navy training ship prepares to dock for a goodwill visit in Manila on October 15. Photo: AP

US pledges millions to Philippine coastguard over ‘shared maritime concerns’

Without naming Beijing, long-time allies discuss ways for ‘two sides to jointly address current challenges’, especially in South China Sea.

29 Oct 2024 - 4:36AMvideocam

Philippine marines aboard their patrol boat man machine guns during a joint exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts in Cavite province west of Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

PLA Navy tests South China Sea defences as Vietnam, Philippines expand footprint

Vessels from the Southern Theatre Command practise in missile interception and damage-control mode as part of autumn drills.

29 Oct 2024 - 2:38PMvideocam

Thitu Island: at the heart of the Philippines’ South China Sea defence strategy

A major upgrade of the airstrip on the island, known locally as Pag-asa, is among the most critical projects in Manila’s new defence concept.

28 Oct 2024 - 8:24AM

Vietnam’s growing Spratly outposts spark concern in China about new flashpoint

Despite high-level dialogues, sea face-offs between Beijing and Hanoi are not only persistent but likely to escalate in future: academic.

29 Oct 2024 - 2:39PMvideocam

A Chinese think tank says Vietnam is rapidly building an airstrip on Barque Canada Reef, with more than 410 metres of runway already built. Photo: X/SCS_PI

Backlash over eating hotpot in a car, China’s biggest trade show: 7 highlights

From top talents in Hong Kong struggling to find work to backlash over eating hotpot in an electric vehicle, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

8 Nov 2024 - 10:47AM

An auto company boss faces backlash after a clip shows him eating hotpot in a car, questioned over practicality. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Baidu

Inside look at how Philippines-China talks navigate ‘lost in translation’ ties

Manila delegate says the discussions were candid but challenging, and notes there is hope for further economic engagement to ease tensions.

22 Oct 2024 - 12:24PMvideocam

Editorial | Code of conduct best way forward on rows in South China Sea

Until an agreement is in place, disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than resorting to force and violence.

22 Oct 2024 - 8:15AM

Philippine police hunt Chinese suspect over Manila murder

The Chinese embassy has suggested the killing in a Makati hotpot restaurant may be linked to offshore gambling.

20 Oct 2024 - 2:55PMvideocam

CCTV footage captured the shooting at a hotpot restaurant in Makati City. Photo: Makati City Police

Any Philippine move to build shoal structure risks China’s retaliation: report

The Philippines could try to build a more ‘permanent structure’ to fortify its foothold at the Second Thomas Shoal, the report says.

18 Oct 2024 - 4:32PMvideocam

‘Big asset’: Philippine lawmaker urges US to donate missile cruiser amid sea row

Congressman Rufus Rodriguez says the USS Philippine Sea cruiser will help the Philippines assert its sovereignty and protect its fishers.

17 Oct 2024 - 7:36PM

China accuses Philippine ships of violating sovereignty after latest collision

Both sides have accused the other of being to blame for the incident which took place near the Philippine-held Tithu island.

16 Oct 2024 - 8:54AMvideocam

The Philippines said the Chinese ship involved was part of a maritime militia but Beijing said it was a fishing boat. Photo: AFP

Most Filipinos won’t support pro-China candidates in 2025 elections: survey

Such views are driven by concerns over the South China Sea dispute and pro-China candidates undermining national security, an analyst says.

15 Oct 2024 - 6:57PMvideocam

Voters pass by campaign posters outside a polling centre in Quezon City in 2022. More than 66 million registered Filipinos will cast their votes for over 18,280 candidates vying for posts across the country during midterm elections next May. Photo: AP

‘I don’t see that’: Philippines doubts Beijing’s South China Sea sincerity

Manila’s defence minister voiced scepticism on Monday about China’s intention to negotiate a South China Sea code of conduct.

14 Oct 2024 - 2:31PMvideocam

How will China react to tougher Philippine-South Korean security ties?

Seoul and Manila’s partnership does not take direct aim at Beijing but does target maritime dangers in the South China Sea.

14 Oct 2024 - 9:00AMvideocam

Opinion | Asean members find common ground in disputed waters

Southeast Asian nations may take different tacks on China, but they share an interest in cooperating to defend their core interests.

14 Oct 2024 - 8:35AMvideocam

‘Behaviour that can’t be ignored’: Marcos’ Asean call for South China Sea code

Marcos Jnr cites recent South China Sea incidents, warns economic cooperation alone will not ease security concerns in the region.

11 Oct 2024 - 8:40PMvideocam

A China Coast Guard ship is seen from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea in August. Photo: TNS

Philippine defence: what’s so special about the Typhon missile system?

Beijing is wary as Manila can enhance its external defence with the Typhon to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness, analysts say.

11 Oct 2024 - 3:29PMvideocam

Opinion | Asean neutrality remains key to regional peace amid US-China rivalry

As next Asean chair Malaysia shows, an open door to all, even with intensifying great power competition, is vital to stability and development.

11 Oct 2024 - 5:59AMvideocam

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China-Philippines relations

News and analysis on China-Philippines relations, which have grown closer since President Rodrigo Duterte's pivot away from the US towards Beijing. Duterte has met with President Xi Jinping several times and sought to boost Chinese infrastructure investments and trade but overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea remain a potential flashpoint. There is also growing concern in the Philippines about the influx of Chinese workers, mostly working in the online gambling sector.

last updated:

15 October, 2024