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China-Philippines relations

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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.
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
14
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
A Japanese naval ship docks at the Manila Port, Philippines, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Philippines

New deal eases logistics for Japan-Philippines drills amid China tensions

The agreement removes taxes on military supplies, including weapons and fuel used in joint exercises.

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South China Sea

‘Strategic patience’ key for Beijing in South China Sea and other disputes

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South China Sea

Claims of lies, coercion in Beijing-Manila war of words over South China Sea

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The Philippines

Philippine navy ‘up to the challenge’ of defending territory in South China Sea

Manila is banking on modern ships and global alliances to challenge China’s increasing presence in the contentious waters.

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Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
South China Sea

Opinion | Why coastguards, not warships, are shaping future of South China Sea

The test is not claimants resolving their disputes but whether they preserve the infrastructure that keeps encounters from becoming a crisis.

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The Philippines

Trump’s Venezuela move strains Philippines’ rules-based diplomacy, critics say

Critics said the US operation has undercut Manila’s claim to principled diplomacy, given its close alliance with Washington.

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War and conflict

Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

From Manila to Tokyo, domestic political dynamics are increasing the risks of a dangerous confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
The Philippines

Corruption, floods and clan wars rock Philippines in 2025

Deepening political feuds, ex-president Duterte’s ICC arrest and the South China Sea dispute have reshaped the Philippine landscape.

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South China Sea

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.

South China Sea

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
South China Sea

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
South China Sea

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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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.

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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The Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, the same model Japan plans to deploy on Yonaguni, an island just 110km (68 miles) from Taiwan. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Human trafficking

Video | Ex-Philippine mayor Alice Guo gets life term for human trafficking

The verdict comes at a time when Asean leaders have expressed alarm over rising cybercrimes perpetrated by transnational gangs.

South China Sea

Opinion | How does China’s modernising navy stack up against the US seventh fleet?

Between what the US can sustain in the region vs what China can concentrate near its shores, the calculation increasingly favours Beijing.

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The Philippines

Opinion | Why China need not fear US-led ‘Squad’ evolving into Asian Nato

Uncertainty surrounds the ‘Squad’, including the US’ ability to support another grouping and Trump’s push for a grand bargain with China.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Asean

Philippines courts East Timor as new South China Sea ally in Asean

Next year’s Asean chair has shown interest in formalising defence cooperation with the latest member of the 11-nation bloc.

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The Philippines

The Philippines wants Xi to visit. It wants a South China Sea code more

Chinese President Xi Jinping hasn’t set foot in Manila since 2018. His invitation to return comes with conditions attached.

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The Philippines

South China Sea: does new US-Philippine task force mark turning point in ties?

The task force aims to enhance interoperability and crisis responses of American and Filipino troops, particularly in the disputed sea.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (right) with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Hegseth has said Task Force Philippines is another step in the allies’ cooperation. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Filipinos rally behind coastguard amid sea tensions, US alliance debate

A poll revealed high ratings for the force despite pro-Duterte lawmakers disparaging it over growing Manila-Washington defence ties.

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A Chinese coastguard ship (right) fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel near the Manila-occupied Thitu Island in the South China Sea on October 12. Photo: Philippine coastguard/AP
South China Sea

South China Sea: what does Europe see in the Philippines?

Sweden is eyeing a permanent defence attaché in the Philippines to secure trade lanes against a ‘changed China’ in the Indo-Pacific.

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The Philippines

Canada, Philippines take ‘next step’ with joint forces pact amid China concerns

The deal is mutually beneficial to both countries, particularly as Canada moves out from under the US’ shadow in the region, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Philippine military fires back as Duterte’s son takes potshot at US ties

Paolo Duterte’s claims of the military ‘showing off for America’ are aimed at undermining the current administration, analysts say.

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Paolo Duterte, son of former Philippine president Rodrigo, represents Davao City, the hometown of the Duterte clan. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Why the US is eyeing Philippines’ coastguard with 3-year training plan

The multimillion-dollar plan, while seemingly a routine partnership, will deepen Washington’s regional footprint under a non-military banner.

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A Chinese navy ship speeds past a Philippine fishing boat in the disputed South China Sea last month. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

China deploys new floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal, satellite image shows

Barrier seen blocking entrance to lagoon at the contested atoll where tensions between Beijing and Manila have intensified.

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The Philippines

Doubts greet Philippines-China coastguard deal to calm disputed waters

Analysts are cautiously optimistic about the proposed pact as past efforts to lower the temperature in the waterway have had limited success.

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