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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.
LATEST China Science NEWS

Chinese crystal ‘paves way’ for GPS-free thorium clock navigation

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A nuclear clock could enable navigation in places where the Global Positioning System does not work, such as deep space or underwater. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Is China about to launch a rocket from South China Sea international waters?

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China may be preparing to launch its Jielong-3 rocket from a converted barge in the South China Sea on Saturday, according to a leaked schedule circulating on social media. Photo: Xinhua

2 years on: China’s ‘desert wheat farms’ show the seeds of success

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Chinese farmers have grown wheat in the country’s largest desert, Taklamakan, amid ongoing efforts to turn arid deserts into fertile soil and the drive to strengthen food security. Photo: Weibo

Open Questions | China always a connector, never a coloniser, author says

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China deploys new battlefield AI in command tent. It outsmarts everyone

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China’s new digital soldier is quietly proving it might think faster than any human. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
Soldiers from the US, Philippines and Japan line up for the start of this year’s Salaknib military drill at Fort Magsaysay in the Philippines, on April 6. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

‘A big deal’: military drills show Tokyo’s growing focus on deterring China

Combat-ready Japanese troops are being deployed in the Philippines for the first time since Japan’s occupation of the country during World War II.

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China's military weapons

Move over, Hercules: China’s new Y-30 aims to outmuscle America’s best

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Science

Is China about to launch a rocket from South China Sea international waters?

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US-China relations

Opinion | A stark clash of world views will overshadow Trump’s visit to China

As Xi and Trump prepare to meet, the divergence between their visions of global order has never been more acute.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
The Philippines

Philippines strengthens South China Sea grip with permanent base on Thitu Island

The island, known locally as Pagasa, is home to about 400 Filipinos, whom China accuses of living there illegally.

The Philippines

Philippine lawmakers’ call for oil deals with China prompts warnings of ‘a trap’

However, some analysts say that if both sides can agree on equitable oil and gas production, Filipinos could benefit from lower prices.

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Asean

Most in Asean prefer China over US in survey, Trump cited as biggest concern

Support for China was stronger in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, according to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.

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US President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a bilateral meeting at the Gimhae International Airport terminal in South Korea in October. Photo: Daniel Torok/White House/dpa
Technology

Opinion | In Asia-Pacific, the real maritime contest is over satellite surveillance

States’ ability to exercise territorial rights is increasingly mediated by their access to satellite data and analytics, but the tech is dominated by a powerful few.

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The Philippines

Why China and Vietnam are shifting from confrontation to calm in South China Sea

Disagreements continue, but the two sides are showing notable restraint in contrast with Beijing’s fierce exchanges with Manila.

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Asean

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

Granting Southeast Asian vessels safe passage through the strait allows Iran to come across as a diplomatic good guy, analysts say.

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An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands

The features to be renamed belong to the Spratly archipelago, site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

A screen capture of a video of the Philippines setting up at monitoring station on Thitu Island, which is part of the contested Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Image: SCMP
The Philippines

Opinion | How US war in Iran is pushing Philippines closer to China

Frustration at Washington among Philippine leaders and the public reflects a rapidly shifting balance of power in Asia.

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China-Philippines relations

Will Strait of Hormuz blockade push Philippines back to China for energy talks?

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says a reset in the fractious relationship is under way but observers aren’t so sure.

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Boao Forum for Asia

Asean countries warned against exploiting US-China tensions for short-term gain

Chinese political scientist says Southeast Asian nations ‘should not assume that the US will back them’ and that strategy could backfire.

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Chinese political scientist Zheng Yongnian cautions that while it is possible for smaller countries to navigate among major powers, “it requires a high level of finesse”. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
The Philippines

Asian Angle | The Philippine military must transform, not just modernise

Changes to doctrine and force structure are needed to realise the armed forces’ dream of becoming a 21st century military.

Filipino soldiers take part in counter-landing live fire drills during the annual US-Philippines “Balikatan” joint military exercise in Palawan on April 28, 2025. Photo: AFP
US-EU relations

German defence minister urges strong US presence in Indo-Pacific

‘To support or not to support Ukraine can also have an impact on Taiwan and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific’: Pistorius.

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The Philippines

Why Japan’s troops are returning to Philippine soil for first time since WWII

The return marks an upgrade from the region’s previous ‘hub and spoke’ strategy to one of overlapping minilaterals, experts say.

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Science

China flexes surveillance muscle with South China Sea garbage count

Satellite remote sensing and ship monitoring are among technologies used to cover the 3.5 million sq km of water, some in disputed areas.

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China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment says it counted 0.67 microplastic items per cubic metre in areas of the South China Sea. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

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China-Japan relations

Should China be worried about Japan’s maritime force overhaul?

Reform reflects shift towards quasi-carrier operations and preparations for potential conflict with Beijing, Chinese analysts say.

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The Philippines

Philippines working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations

This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said in a televised address on Wednesday that the country’s fuel ‌supply would not run dry after 45 days as his government has been looking for other sources. Photo: EPA
Science

A missile launch pad on the seabed? Chinese simulation suggests it’s possible

Researchers put solid rocket engine to the test and find it could ignite and operate reliably under deep-sea pressure at depth of 200 metres.

Submarine-launched missiles are typically fired from a depth of around 30 metres. Photo: Shutterstock
Paracel Islands

Why military base on contested Paracels will be of ‘limited’ value to Beijing

Chinese observers weigh in amid rising concern over Beijing’s land reclamation activities at Antelope Reef.

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US, Israel war on Iran

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Seizing Kharg Island may ‘give the US greater leverage to pressure Iran into making concessions’: South China Sea analyst.

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Mainland China

‘No dispute’: Beijing defends construction on Paracels in South China Sea

China says living conditions and local economy stand to benefit, days after Vietnam states opposition to land-reclamation activities.

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China and Vietnam have competing territorial claims over the Paracels, which Beijing calls the Xisha Islands and Hanoi calls the Hoang Sa Islands. Photo: Shutterstock
China manufacturing

China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

The Chinese prototype would enter commercial operation offering adventure-seeking holidaymakers spectacular deep-sea experiences by 2030.

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The U-Boat Worx Super Yacht Sub 3. Chinese engineers are now working on a prototype for the first tourist submersible able to venture as deep as 1,000 metres below sea level. Photo: Handout
Vietnam

Vietnam protests as China’s Paracels build-up escalates at Antelope Reef

Satellite images suggest accelerated dredging at the disputed South China Sea reef, sparking formal complaint from Hanoi.

The Philippines

Philippine military uncovers alleged new China spy tactics in sea row

China called the allegations ‘malicious smears’ after three people were arrested on suspicion of leaking sensitive information to foreigners.

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