The move by Japan to boost its presence around what it calls the Senkaku Islands comes as tensions with China continue to simmer over their territorial dispute.

The country is expected to engage in a record number of island-building operations in waters Beijing also claims.

State broadcaster’s military chanel reports ambitious plans for vessels which were initially used to monitor coral reefs.

Manila says it “will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation” regarding its supply missions in the disputed waterways.

Strategically located Cagayan province plays host to a growing American troop presence, living cheek-by-jowl with hundreds of Chinese traders.

Newspaper that published the clips says they show Manila was lying about the incident last month in the Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippines should diversify its economy and lessen trade reliance on China, analysts say.

The induction of Senate employees into the force spurs hope of advancing stalled defence bills to tackle ‘formidable’ maritime challenges.

New Delhi’s defence minister is ‘stargazed without a concrete plan in place’ in a bid to draw level with China, analysts say.

The Philippine coastguard said their Chinese counterparts ‘intentionally rammed’ a ship transporting the service member.

The Atin Ito (“Its Ours”) civil society group urged Filipinos to display their “unyielding spirit” at next Tuesday’s rally in front of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Manila to protest the May 19 incident.

State media report claims military personnel stationed on grounded warship damaged and removed nets placed by Chinese in latest flare-up over Second Thomas Shoal.

Vietnam’s ‘blazing furnace’ anti-corruption campaign has claimed a number of senior figures, turmoil that one analyst says is unprecedented.

Former US Marine Corps Forces Pacific commander Steven Rudder expected to deliver opening address to closed-door gathering.

The move is a major step toward addressing a 4,400-person shortfall in the Australian Defense Force.

Military officials also accused Chinese boats of illegally seizing food and medicine that were airdropped to Filipino troops on the Sierra Madre warship at Second Thomas Shoal.

Toshi Yoshihara, an American expert who’s set to brief Malaysia’s armed forces on China’s military, said prioritising short-term trade benefits over addressing the territorial conflict could cost Kuala Lumpur dearly in the long run.

Chinese foreign ministry says Washington has played ‘extremely dishonourable role’ by supporting Manila’s ‘abusive acts’ in disputed waters after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr takes swipe in speech at Shangri-La Dialogue.

Durian demand and Chinese investors’ interest in the Philippines’ green-energy sectors are seen as promising opportunities, according to China-based diplomats from the Southeast Asian nation.

Philippine president’s stance on Ukraine-Russia war has pivoted from a neutral approach held when he was campaigning for office.

Footage released by the state broadcaster CCTV appears to show troops stationed on a grounded warship pointing rifles at a Chinese vessel.

Dong Jun insisted Beijing was committed to peaceful reunification but issued several veiled swipes at the US for ‘pushing Taiwan into danger’.

The theme was laid out early on by the Philippines – before Australia, New Zealand and host Singapore took up the baton. But the South China Sea wasn’t the only talking point.

The deadly riots were triggered by infighting between Malay and Malaysian Chinese political parties over a divisive election.

Asia’s geographical separation from Ukraine and the Middle East provides a ‘mental space’ for reflection, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen says.

Josep Borrell tells Shangri-La defence forum that avoiding tension in the South China Sea is ‘of the utmost importance’ for the bloc because of strong trade links.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Manila would ‘do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign home’.