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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

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

From years to a week: China’s superfast software for hypersonic weapon design

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Long-range CJ-1000 cruise missiles are displayed during a military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: AFP

NIH-awarded life scientist Shu Xiaokun abruptly shifts research from US to China

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Shu Xiaokun (right) was the Herfindahl Endowed Chair and a tenured professor at the University of California, San Francisco. According to the Fudan University, he has returned to Shanghai to join the faculty as a distinguished professor. Photo: Handout
MORE China Science NEWS
Antelope Reef is strategically located about 300km from Sanya, a major base for Chinese naval and air forces overseeing the South China Sea. Photo: European Union
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

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US-China relations

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

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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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Tankers have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP
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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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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The Philippine Air Force’s SPYDER system is designed to counter aircraft, drones and missiles. Photo: Philippine Air Force
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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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

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

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Vessels from Chinese and Vietnamese navies take part in a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin in November last year. Photo: Xinhua
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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The two countries have been working to strengthen ties in recent year. Photo: Shutterstock
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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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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A US Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Wednesday, the US Seventh Fleet said on Thursday. Photo: Handout
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’.

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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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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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A law enforcer on a China Coast Guard vessel observes Philippine boats in a disputed area of the South China Sea in February. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
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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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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The RC-135 is one of the mainstays of the US military’s large reconnaissance aircraft fleet. Photo: US Air Force
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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