South China Sea
TOPIC
 / location

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

China’s green tech revolution will outlast geopolitics: Arif Aga

videocam
6
The sun sets over solar panels deployed at the Kubuqi Photovoltaic Desert Control Project, near Ordos, in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region. Photo: AFP

Video | How China is building a great green wall to protect itself from desertification

videocam
Photo: SCMP/Composite

US green tech retreat echoes mistake of China’s Qing dynasty before collapse

videocam
19
Illustration: Henry Wong

Race for AI space centres: why the US goes all in after China makes first move

videocam
95
The push to deploy AI into orbit is a strategic gambit with far-reaching consequences for national security and economic dominance. Photo: Shutterstock

How China left the US years behind in sixth-generation jet race

videocam
67
This first glimpse of a J-36 fighter on the ground, reportedly parked on a tarmac at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, started circulating on X earlier this year. Photo: X/ @WZZJWZ
MORE China Science NEWS
A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet performs at an airshow in Qawra, Malta, in September. Photo: Reuters
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.

8
China-Philippines relations

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

videocam
6
Mainland China

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

videocam
6
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.

videocam
44
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gestures as US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during their visit to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28. Photo: AP
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.

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.

videocam
43
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the State Department in Washington on Monday. Photo: Reuters
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.

videocam
37
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.

videocam
42
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.

videocam
5
New satellite images reveal upgrades at Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea, according to Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Photo: CSIS/AMTI
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.

videocam
China-controlled Scarborough Shoal is about 600km (373 miles) from the closest Chinese military base. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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.

79
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
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.

videocam
An executive order signed by US President Donald Trump allows American private companies to pursue deep-sea mining in areas beyond US jurisdiction without prior approval from the United Nations. Photo: Xinhua
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.

videocam
43
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.

videocam
5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

China Communications Construction Company’s Tongjun super dredger has successfully completed its sea trials. Photo: Handout
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.

7
US-China relations

China, US hold ‘candid’ security talks amid Japan, South China Sea tensions

Second meeting under Trump 2.0 marks latest effort from both sides to maintain military communication despite tensions over multiple issues.

videocam
10
SCMP Highlights

US ‘biggest recipient’ of China debt; Beijing’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From a study of China’s lending since 2000 to analysts’ views on Beijing’s spat with Tokyo, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

The US flag towers above hundreds of containers the Port of Los Angeles in California. China has lent far more to the United States in recent years than previously understood, a new AidData study has found. Photo: EPA-EFE
Paracel Islands

Beijing launches historic preservation campaign to cement South China Sea claims

Conservation specialists repair monument on Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Islands, with more preservation work planned.

videocam
7
A conservation team has spent six days reinforcing a 1946 monument to mark China’s takeover of the Paracel Islands after World War II. Photo: Handout
India

Is naval drill a sign that India, other Quad members can look past differences?

Despite trade tensions, India, the US, Australia and Japan are set to stay the course on defence cooperation within the Quad, analysts say.

videocam
China’s military drills

China’s Fujian carrier completes first training shortly after entering service

‘First maritime live-force training’ since November 5 commissioning comes at a time of growing tensions with Japan over Taiwan comments.

videocam
China’s military drills

China’s aircraft carriers put to ‘train-as-you-fight’ test beyond island chains

PLA Daily sheds new light on navy’s drills to increase launch frequency and far-sea combat readiness.

videocam
6
The PLA Daily says the Liaoning aircraft carrier has conducted “train-as-you-fight” drills more than 10 times beyond the first island chain. Photo: Xinhua via AP
Asean

Incoming Asean chair Philippines faces a Thailand-Cambodia ‘challenge’

Manila’s task as Asean chair will be to preserve the momentum set by Malaysia amid a crowded 2026 agenda, analysts say.

videocam
An Asean delegation visits an area along the Cambodia-Thailand border in Banteay Meanchey province on Thursday. Photo: Agence Kampuchea Press/AFP
Mainland China

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.

videocam
16
China-Asean relations

How a Japan-Philippines defence pact could become a ‘template’ to deter China

PLA sends bomber over South China Sea for ‘routine patrol’ after the Philippines steps up joint drills with allies in the region.

videocam
32
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement