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

Are China’s researchers now dominating the world’s top science journals?

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Chinese researchers are scattered across universities and research institutes worldwide, while articles by scientists from China’s top research institutes are appearing more frequently in top journals. Photo: Shutterstock

China’s energy weapon fires thousands of pulses in tests and survives: study

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High-power microwave weapons use directed energy to hit their targets. Now Chinese scientists have developed one that is compact and capable of extremely high power attacks. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese boss in American Factory approved to launch university

Cao Dewang, founder and chairman of Fuyao Glass. Photo: Simon Song

Chinese rice tastes better than it did 16 years ago, research team finds

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A Chinese research team has evaluated rice grown in the country based on standards relating to appearance, odour, palatability, taste, and texture when cold. Photo: Shutterstock

Cambodia’s China-backed canal on Mekong seen to put ‘fragile ecosystems’ at risk

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Colourful smoke bombs mark the groundbreaking ceremony for the Funan Techo canal in Cambodia’s Kandal province, in August last year. Photo: AFP
MORE China Science NEWS
Incoming US national security adviser Mike Waltz told a “Passing the Baton” event organised by the United States Institutes of Peace that the new administration will continue and reinforce Washington’s policies on China. Photo: USIP
US-China relations

Trump’s security pick pledges China strategy that reinforces Indo-Pacific ties

Mike Waltz delivers clearest signal yet on regional partnerships and also affirms stance on arms for Taipei.

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Asean

Youthful optimism: how Southeast Asian students view their economic futures

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The Philippines

Manila warns ‘all options on table’ after Chinese patrol in disputed waters

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China defends Scarborough Shoal patrols after Philippine protest

Beijing says its presence in the area is lawful while Manila says it is illegal and provocative.

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The Philippine Coast Guard says a Chinese Coast Guard ship sailing some 60 nautical miles (111 kilometres, 69 miles) west of the main Philippine island of Luzon. Photo: AFP/Philippine Coast Guard
War and conflict

Opinion | Why the US will not allow a nuclear-armed South Korea

While Seoul’s own nuclear defence would lessen the US security burden, it would also undermine American interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

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China-Asean relations

Chinese and Indonesian coastguards pledge deeper cooperation

The two sides pledged support for joint maritime security efforts amid Beijing’s ongoing drive for closer ties with the Southeast Asian giant.

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The Philippines

Philippines starts Spratly Islands upgrades after months of tension with China

The improvements, including a longer airstrip on Thitu Island, will help boost Manila’s military presence in the South China Sea.

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Philippine soldiers stationed on Thitu Island. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan, Indonesia plan a joint warship amid China tensions at sea

The project signals Tokyo’s desire for wider security ties in the region and Jakarta’s aim for more joint weapon developments, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Tariffs, turmoil and Trump: untangling Malaysia’s Asean chair to-do list

Can Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomatic finesse help Malaysia steer Asean through the storm of rising trade tensions and regional crises?

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The Philippines

Opinion | How the Philippines is managing a cold war abroad – and at home

The removal of the Dutertes from the security council is a calculated move by Marcos Jnr to prevent the family, perceived as pro-China proxies, from exerting influence.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
The Philippines

Philippine politicians worry about ‘warmonger’ Trump’s aggressive foreign policy

Several groups say Donald Trump poses a grave danger to the region and worry the US president-elect may involve the Philippines in a war.

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President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants the US to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesia to keep pushing for South China Sea code, expand defence ties

Foreign minister Sugiono outlined Jakarta’s diplomatic agenda that included peaceful conflict resolution and continued support for Gaza.

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Malaysia

Malaysia and Japan to develop green energy projects, Ishiba eyes defence ties

Among their agreements, both countries will jointly develop hydrogen energy and partner in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza.

China-Asean relations

PLA chief of joint staff Liu Zhenli visits Malaysia on first overseas trip

Malaysian prime minister hails ‘strong’ China ties in talks with Liu, as defence minister urges dialogue to manage South China Sea issues.

Liu Zhenli, PLA joint staff chief and Central Military Commission member, with Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: X/ KhaledNordin
The Philippines

Philippines urged to ‘lean into US alliance’ to deter China in disputed sea

Manila can invite US military to undertake humanitarian operations or partner American company for oil exploration in disputed waters, analyst says.

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Philippine marines during a joint visit, board and seizure (VBS) exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts in Cavite province, west of Manila in October 2024, as part of the annual Philippines-US joint marines exercise dubbed Kamandag (Venom). Photo: AFP

Higher risk of aerial face-off with Manila in South China Sea: Chinese analyst

Warning from top maritime analyst Hu Bo comes as China intensifies efforts to assert claims over disputed, busy waterway.

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The Philippines

‘Show of force’? Huge Chinese ship seen near shoal contested with Philippines

Observers interpret the presence of the 165-metre vessel near Scarborough Shoal as a warning to Manila about its military ties with the US.

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China-Philippines relations

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

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US president-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is expected to take a confrontational approach to Beijing, fuelling tensions in the South China Sea, according to a Chinese expert. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Drone discovery in Philippines spurs call for US military expansion

Filipino congressman Robert Ace Barbers’ call comes after a drone was recovered off Masbate, which he says could be a spying device.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | Obama-era diplomat Daniel Russel on Trump 2.0’s potential effects on China

In a less forgiving global environment for Beijing, how will Donald Trump’s second term play out for Taiwan?

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s BrahMos plans spotlight India’s rising Southeast Asian security role

The US$700 million deal would make Vietnam the second nation in the region to acquire the supersonic cruise missiles after the Philippines.

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A BrahMos missile system is seen in New Delhi during a parade in 2021. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

‘We are a frontline state’: how the Philippines is preparing for a US-China war

The US treaty ally is spending billions to arm itself for a conflict over Taiwan or the South China Sea it hopes will never come.

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Soldiers march during a military parade held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City last month to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Philippine military. Photo: AFP
Science

Chinese war games system sees surprise US attack on PLA in South China Sea

When key details about a US stealth anti-ship missile were added to a war games simulation, the results were unexpected.

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China-Philippines relations

Why 2024 was the ‘most violent, dangerous’ point in Philippine-China ties

June 17 clash at Second Thomas Shoal, China’s grey-zone activities among Philippines’ challenges as it sought to boost defence in disputed sea.

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The Philippines

Is US naval activity in Philippine waters to counter China’s Typhon objection?

USNS Victorious’ presence near Luzon is to signal Washington’s commitment to the Philippines amid the Typhon row with China, analysts say.

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US soldiers conduct a Tomahawk missile launch from the Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, launcher at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California last year. Photo: Handout via US Army
China-Asean relations

Chinese warships make port call in Vietnam after talks on joint patrols

Fleet led by destroyer and amphibious warfare ship docked in eastern city of Da Nang, PLA says.

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Chinese warships made a port call in Da Nang on Saturday. Photo: Weibo/PLA Southern Theatre Command
Japan

Why did Chinese ships spend record 353 days near Diaoyu Islands in 2024?

Beijing’s action aims to undermine Tokyo’s sovereignty over the islands and push Japanese defensive capacities to their limit, analysts note.

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Climate change

Opinion | Asia must not let its appetite for sand consume its rivers and seas

The environmental consequences of sand mining are immense. Across Asia, rivers are shrinking, coastlines eroding and ecosystems unravelling.

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