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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

Unlimited petrol? Chinese firm claims it can produce fuel from air and water

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Employees inspect equipment at a petrochemical refinery in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. China is exploring alternatives to fossil fuels as part of an effort to reduce its reliance on imported crude oil. Photo: VCG

A rare earth ‘China solution’ that leaves US defence agency in the cold

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A mini-fridge built with the alloy has achieved temperatures extremely close to absolute zero using no moving parts. Photo: Shutterstock

China and Chile wrap up Atacama Trench mission as US pressure mounts

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Scientists (from left) Du Mengran, Deng Yuqing and Osvaldo Ulloa in the manned submersible at Atacama Trench. Photo: Handout

How China gets more bang for its military buck than the US

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Illustration: Davies Christian

Could this Chinese breakthrough pave way for global organ transplant system?

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With preservation limited to a single day at most, transplants remain more like emergency procedures than elective surgeries. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
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 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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China’s military drills

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

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China-Asean relations

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

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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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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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Satellite imagery suggests new sand dredging work has been taking place at Antelope Reef. Photo: European Union
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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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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A report has identified escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as the most pressing external security concern for Beijing. Photo: AP
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.

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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Plumes of smoke rise in Iranian capital Tehran following US-Israeli missile strikes on March 1. Photo: AFP
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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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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US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping when he travels to Beijing later this month, the first such visit by an American leader since his own trip in 2017. Photo: AP
The Philippines

‘Deliberate signal’: Philippines elevates officer amid South China Sea tensions

Analysts say Marcos is doubling down on the country’s ‘transparency initiative’ while engaging Beijing diplomatically behind closed doors.

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Mainland China

South China Sea expert warns 2026 code of conduct is ‘simply not achievable’

The agreement ‘cannot be successfully negotiated’ while rival claimant Philippines holds Asean chair, Chinese analyst Wu Shicun says.

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The Philippines

Indonesia is getting an aircraft carrier. The Philippines isn’t. Does it matter?

Indonesia wants to project power. The Philippines wants to deny it. In the South China Sea, one approach may matter more than the other.

The Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi pictured in 2016. Photo: AFP
Asean

Letters | Asean is not choosing sides, but strategically maximising space

Readers discuss how Southeast Asian governments have gained bargaining power, the benefits of cheap public transport, and a harbourfront project.

A boat cruises past a nickel processing plant at Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park in Central Halmahera, North Maluku province, Indonesia in 2024. Photo: AP
Mainland China

Can China and Philippines ‘swap disputes with cooperation’ in disputed waters?

Senator says the two sides might start joint patrols in the South China Sea by the end of next month.

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Mainland China

Chinese maritime militia in South China Sea hit ‘record high’ in 2025: US report

Deployments averaged 241 vessels per day, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative report says, notes waning role for civilian fishing fleets.

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China-South Korea relations

Seoul’s protest seen as reluctance to let US Forces Korea confront China

South Korean complaint highlights growing difficulty in balancing ties with both security ally US and top trading partner China: analyst.

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Seoul’s defence minister has protested to the head of US Forces Korea about a stand-off between US and Chinese fighter jets in the Yellow Sea, according to South Korean media. Photo: AP
China's military weapons

China’s 155mm naval gun on test vessel signals boost to amphibious landing power

The weapon – reportedly capable of firing guided munitions – represents a significant upgrade for PLA Navy.

Photos of China’s new 155mm weapon mounted on the bow of a test vessel have recently emerged on Chinese social media. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

The government-backed drive is the latest in a series of creative campaigns aiming to shape public narrative around the maritime dispute.

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China-Australia relations

Beijing monitors Australian frigate Toowoomba’s passage through Taiwan Strait

Anzac-class frigate ‘conducted a routine transit through the South China Sea’, Australian defence department says.

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