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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

From coal to cures: Chinese scientists bring a 160-year-old dream to life

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Chinese scientists have discovered a way to turn cheap coal into medicines after cracking a puzzle that has baffled the science world for 160 years. Photo: AFP

Chinese surgery robot outperforms humans, cuts brain imaging time by 29%

Robotic systems can help doctors avoid the physical strains of manual surgery as well as the risks of radiation exposure. Photo: Handout

Can China massively reduce food imports with super-efficient unmanned rice farms?

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Workers harvest rice in the fields of Sanhe Farm in Xuyu, Jiangsu province, China. Photo: Xinhua

Could ultra-precise harvest forecasts give China an advantage in Iran war fallout?

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China’s ability to predict grain output more than six months in advance with striking accuracy could protect the nation from food shortages as conflict in the Middle East causes global upheaval. Photo: Xinhua

Made-in-China clock loses a second in twice the age of the universe

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Researchers from University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei have built this strontium optical lattice clock. Photo: CCTV
MORE China Science NEWS
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
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.

China manufacturing

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

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Vietnam

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

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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A Philippine vessel distributes supplies in the contested South China Sea last month. Photo: China’s coastguard/Xinhua
US-China relations

Does USS Tripoli’s deployment to Middle East create an opening for China?

Amphibious assault ship’s transfer said to cause ‘dip’ in deterrence against Beijing’s military activity around Taiwan and South China Sea.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Can the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz? Many military analysts are sceptical

Chinese observers question whether air strikes, and even a limited ground presence, will be enough to remove the threat to shipping.

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The Philippines

Why Philippines struggles to tap its US$1 trillion mineral wealth

Without a proper road map to grow its mining sector, the country remains a ‘second-tier mineral economy’.

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Nickel mining in southern Philippines. Analysts say a lack of a proper road map to realise the country’s mining potential is hindering its ambitions to grow the industry. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
US, Israel war on Iran

How long will US-Israel war on Iran last? Chinese analysts offer clues

Iran’s drones gaining edge as opponents burn through costly missiles, analysts note, as one labels the war a ‘serious mistake’ by US.

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The Philippines

Beyond ‘lip service’: Philippines urged to act on air defence gaps

The Iran war has underscored the need for robust air systems and Manila should look to build a layered defence architecture, experts say.

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US-China relations

US says mainland China has no plans to attack Taiwan in 2027

Beijing seeks to control the island without the use of force, the US intelligence community confirms in its annual report on global threats.

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The People’s Liberation Army conducts military drills near Pingtan island, in eastern China’s Fujian province, the closest point to Taiwan, on December 30, 2025. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

Could PLA’s new shipborne drone redefine South China Sea naval operations?

In a first, recent CCTV footage shows a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the Chinese military’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship.

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Thursday’s footage showed a lightweight uncrewed helicopter with folding rotors and appearing to be slightly smaller than the PLA’s main shipborne helicopter, the Z-20 Photo: CCTV
China’s military drills

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

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China-Asean relations

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

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Mainland China

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

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Antelope Reef, part of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Philippines’ bid for UN Security Council seat sidesteps maritime row

As a potential council member, the Philippines is expected to address broader global security issues and be a ‘responsible middle power’.

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Members of the UN Security Council listen as Gholamhossein Darzi, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, speaks at the UN headquarters on January 15. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Taiwan

US Navy patrols Taiwan Strait before Xi-Trump summit, triggering PLA manoeuvres

Passage signals US’ commitment to ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’, says US Seventh Fleet, after Beijing monitored and tracked aircraft.

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Paracel Islands

Is Beijing stepping up island building in South China Sea after 10-year pause?

Satellite images suggest that extensive work is taking place at Antelope Reef, which is also claimed by Vietnam.

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The Philippines

As US missiles leave South Korea, the Philippines asks: are we next?

South Korea couldn’t stop the pull-out. Now, Manila must figure out if it is indeed a strategic partner or just another supply depot.

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Patriot missile launchers are seen deployed at a US military base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Sunday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
Two Sessions 2026

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2026: everything you need to know

From US ties post-Iran to new tech innovation strategies, here is everything you need to know about China’s ongoing ‘two sessions’.

US-China relations

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

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Two Sessions 2025

Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea ‘golden rules’ by end of year

Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’.

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Chinese coastguard personnel patrol the waters around the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing claims as Huangyan Island, in November 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Two Sessions 2026

Takeaways from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at China’s ‘two sessions’

Top diplomat addresses questions on US ties, the Iran crisis, South China Sea disputes and Beijing’s vision for a multipolar world order.

China top diplomat Wang Yi speaks to the press about Beijing’s foreign policy objectives during the “two sessions” in Beijing on March 8. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2026

Why China’s new 5-year plan targets stronger policing of disputed waters

Focus on maritime law enforcement believed to highlight growing challenges facing Beijing, particularly in the South China Sea.

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US-China relations

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

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The Philippines

Philippines arrests Filipino nationals suspected of spying for China

China has dismissed the espionage allegations as fabricated and politically motivated, accusing Manila of ‘stigmatisation’.

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A screen grab from China’s CCTV news footage shows (from left) David Servañez, Albert Endencia and Nathalie Plizardo, the three Philippine nationals arrested on suspicion of spying in China. Photo: CCTV
China-Middle East relations

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

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Since the large-scale attacks by the US and Israel against Iran began over the weekend, Beijing has limited its response to diplomatic statements. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

US patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle East

Decline in reconnaissance aircraft sorties comes during critical time in China-US ties ahead of planned Donald Trump visit.

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US-China relations

Will Iran attack derail Trump’s high-stakes China visit to meet Xi Jinping?

China has condemned killing of Iranian leader as a grave violation of sovereignty and called US incitement of regime change ‘unacceptable’.

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