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.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
LATEST China Science NEWS

China is training super-pilots with qigong for stealth jet and drone battle

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China’s top fighter pilots are using baduanjin, a form of qigong, to strengthen their core muscles and increase fitness. Photo: Xinhua

China-US study replicates ancient rice wine identified from 10,000 years ago

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An international archaeological study at a site in ancient China’s Lower Yangtze region has found evidence that people have long been making wines out of rice. Photo: Shutterstock

SpaceX and 7 dwarves: Chinese space firms line up to enter reusable rocket race

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China’s Tianlong-3 reusable rocket is similar in design and performance to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Photo: Weibo

China’s hypersonic jumbo jet prototype hits Mach 6 in Gobi Desert test flight

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Video footage released this week shows the prototype’s 2021 test flight, which had been kept under wraps for years because of the sensitivity of the project. Photo: Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

China intrigued by Russia’s planned rail link to planet’s largest coalfield

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The Russian port at Kharabarovsk near the Chinese border is increasing its coal terminal capacity from 30 to 50 million tonnes a year to accommodate the railway’s projected cargoes. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is launched by the Aegis Guam System during the US Missile Defence Agency’s test at Andersen Air Force Base on December 10. Photo: Handout/Reuters
US-China relations

US conducts first ballistic missile intercept in Guam amid contest with China

Spokesman says ‘it confirmed our ability to detect, track and engage a target missile in flight, increasing our readiness to defend’.

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Cambodia

China’s naval base handover in Cambodia: a sign of waning US influence?

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The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos Jnr rejects call to send warships to South China Sea

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Vietnam

South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects may set scene for conflict with Beijing

Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.

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A satellite image of Pearson Reef in the Spratly Islands, taken on September 29, suggests Vietnam may be building a 3km runway. Photo: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies
China-Philippines relations

China, Philippines put tensions aside to work together on gambling crackdown

The deportation of 190 individuals involved in online gambling shows bilateral cooperation is not foreclosed by the South China Sea dispute.

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South China Sea: Analysis

Global Impact | Waves continue in South China Sea as China warns against ‘provocative actions’

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we recap the latest in the South China Sea.

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Asean

Opinion | Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit next to each other at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 5. Photo: Roscongress Foundation via Reuters
Asean

Opinion | Why cybersecurity could be Malaysia’s key to effective Asean leadership

Even modest success under Malaysia’s leadership could bolster the grouping’s unity and credibility, but failure will only deepen fractures in the bloc.

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The Philippines

Will Philippines’ new navy chief adopt ‘grey zone’ tactics against China?

Manila’s Navy chief suggested adopting “grey zone” tactics – coercive actions below armed conflict – which analysts say will differ from Beijing’s.

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China-Philippines relations

Chinese coastguard hits out again at Philippines over South China Sea clashes

Philippine agency is misleading the international community over incidents at Sabina and Scarborough shoals, China Coast Guard says.

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The Chinese and Philippine coastguards are at odds over what happened during a confrontation in the South China Sea on Wednesday. Photo: Weibo/人民日报
The Philippines

China’s ‘aggressive actions’, territorial claims raise tensions with Philippines

Experts warn of heightened tensions as Manila resists Beijing’s unilateral actions in disputed waters to its enforce territorial claims.

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A China Coast Guard ship (right) deploys water cannon at a Phillipine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP. Photo: National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea/AFP

Chinese coastguard blocks Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal

Four coastguard vessels from Philippines ‘came dangerously close’ to law enforcement vessels, China says.

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Science

South China Sea: scientists see China collaboration as crucial for marine life

Foreign researchers hope Swire Institute of Marine Science in Hong Kong will aid fieldwork amid tension over sensitive waterways.

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Japan

‘Really unfortunate’: political rows stoke deep mutual Japan-China distrust

A survey conducted in Japan and China shows the overwhelming majority of people in both countries have negative views of each other.

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Japan’s flag flutters outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2018. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

South China Sea: Beijing submits Scarborough Shoal baseline documents to UN

Incoming US president Donald Trump’s administration may challenge declaration of straight baselines as overreach by China, say experts.

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Geng Shuang, the deputy permanent representative of China to the UN, deposited coordinates and charts asserting China’s sea territory surrounding Scarborough Shoal with the UN on Monday. Photo: AFP
Australia

Australia warns against China’s normalisation of ‘dangerous actions’ in rows

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s comment comes as an Australian government delegation visits Singapore to discuss deepening their ties.

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Japan

Japan expands security aid scheme, flexes clout in more nations

The Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia and Djibouti appear set to become the latest recipients of Tokyo’s non-lethal military aid.

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Asean

Help from Asean nations to counter China is unlikely: ex-Philippine Navy officer

As the Philippines pushes back in the South China Sea, ‘we have to accept that China successfully divided’ other Southeast Asian nations.

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A Chinese military vessel fires a water cannon at a Philippine resupply boat on its way to the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in March. Photo: Reuters
China-Philippines relations

Beijing and Manila trade blame over run-in near Spratlys reef in South China Sea

China says Philippine vessels ‘under guise of’ fishing boats gathered illegally near Houteng Reef, as Manila claims ‘harassment’ by PLA.

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The Philippines

China has ‘no right’ to demand removal of US Typhon system from Philippines

The Philippines has the ‘sovereign prerogative’ to retain the Typhon for its security needs given the threat posed by China, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Indonesia still does not recognise Beijing’s South China Sea claims: minister

Many South China Sea states are hesitant to join agreements with China, fearing they could be interpreted as legitimising Beijing’s claims in the waterway.

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A Chinese Coast Guard ship sails in North Natuna waters in the disputed area of the South China Sea, Indonesia. Photo: BAKAMLA/AP
The Philippines

Is Beijing eyeing a new South China Sea island with ‘salami-slicing strategy’?

An analyst suggests Beijing may be ‘adding fuel’ to domestic political tensions amid the ongoing Marcos-Duterte fallout.

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Chinese maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Approval of Philippines-Japan defence deal imminent as ties solidify

The Reciprocal Access Agreement is ‘not a military’ pact but could allow Japanese forces to access existing defence bases.

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China-Philippines relations

After PLA, Chinese coastguard patrols disputed Scarborough Shoal

Patrols aimed to ‘resolutely safeguard’ territorial sovereignty, China Coast Guard says, citing continued boosting of law enforcement.

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The Philippines

‘What’s in it for me’: will Trump 2.0 squeeze the Philippines for US support?

The US president-elect’s interest in containing China militarily and supporting the Philippines’ defence remains an open question.

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Donald Trump hugs and kisses the American flag during an event in February. His return to the White House will put US-Philippine ties to the test. Photo: AP
China-Philippines relations

Is Hanoi quietly building Asean alliances on South China Sea code of conduct?

Diplomatic upgrade with Kuala Lumpur could lead to a more united front from claimant countries in their dispute with Beijing, analysts say.

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Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a welcoming ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on November 21. Photo: Reuters
China-Philippines relations

Chinese military says reef patrols stepped up amid tension with Philippines

PLA Navy and Air Force conduct ‘combat-ready vigilance patrol’ around Scarborough Shoal as Beijing accuses Washington of fanning disputes.

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China-Asean relations

South China Sea: US alliances mar peace and stability, China envoy tells Asean

Beijing’s ambassador to Asean tells forum Western narrative of ‘Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow’ increases conflict risk in region.

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