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 scientists thank Nasa for sharing data critical to deep-sea mining

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China’s Shiyan 6, geophysical and seismic survey ship, was sent to investigate in 2022 after oceanographers detected an undersea anomaly in Nasa data that could yield natural resources. Photo: Chinese Academy of Science

China’s Tianlong-3 rocket passes critical test a year after explosive mishap

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Beijing-based startup Space Pioneer says it has completed a major structural stress test following more than 100 technical upgrades to its redesigned vehicle after Tianlong-3 rocket crashed in June last year. Photo: Handout

As Trump flip-flops on US academia, China’s brightest head back home. Here’s why

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Illustration: Davies Christian Surya

Could Elon Musk really move his tech empire to China?

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Donald Trump has threatened to deport Elon Musk and cut off his US government subsidies. Photo: EPA

China draws green energy from infamous ‘sea of death’

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A section of the 750kV transmission and transformation project passing through Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim Basin in China’s western Xinjiang region. Photo: Xinhua
MORE China Science NEWS
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China’s Communist Party

The Taiwan papers: academics suggest how mainland China might rule island

Survey of academic papers points to a noticeable increase since 2019 in consideration of a ‘one country, two systems’ framework for the island.

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Science

Chinese scientists thank Nasa for sharing data critical to deep-sea mining

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SCMP Highlights

Overcrowding in Bali, secret past of Kim Jong-un’s mother: 7 Asia highlights

Australia

Australia fires its first US-made Himars rocket system

It fired the rocket system during its joint live-fire exercise involving the US, Singapore, Japan, France and South Korea.

Himars rockets are fired by Australian, US and Singapore defence forces as part of the Talisman Sabre joint war fighting exercise. Up to 40,000 troops from 19 nations are taking part in the exercise. Photo: Reuters
Australia

Australia’s largest-ever military drill under way, Chinese spy ships expected

Chinese military have observed these biennial exercises since 2017, but this year’s drills coincide with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China.

The Philippines

Opinion | Philippines risks being drawn into US’ deepening rivalry with China

Marcos’ goal of a balanced foreign policy is at odds with efforts to further intertwine the US and the Philippines in the security sphere.

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The Philippines

Filipino film that China wanted to cancel wins at New Zealand festival

‘You can cancel a screening, but you cannot cancel a story whose time has come,’ ‘Food Delivery’ director Baby Ruth Villarama says.

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A still from “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea”. Photo: Voyage Studios
US-China relations

Wang Yi says deeper China-US dialogue on the cards after talks with Rubio

‘Constructive’ meeting on Asean margins marked by ‘equal dialogue in spirit of mutual respect’, foreign minister quoted as saying by Beijing.

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Asean

Asian Angle | Food for thought: how Chinese brands serve up soft power in Southeast Asia

Chinese F&B brands are becoming increasingly prominent, fuelling a familiarity with China that legitimates its stronger regional presence.

China-Asean relations

Wang Yi dismisses South China Sea ruling as ‘farce’ ahead of ninth anniversary

Chinese foreign minister says ruling was ‘manipulated by external powers’, while embassy in Manila dismisses it as ‘political circus’.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the annual East Asian foreign ministers’ meetings in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

Fulfil ‘wish list’ for peace before holding election, Asean urges Myanmar junta

Asean foreign ministers continue to urge implementation of the Five-Point Consensus despite the junta’s refusal to cooperate.

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Southeast Asian foreign ministers pose for a group photo ahead of the plenary session of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, 2025. From left: Thailand’s Maris Sangiampongsa, Vietnam’s Bui Thanh Son, Malaysia’s Mohamad Hasan, the Philippines’ Theresa Lazaro, Brunei’s Erywan Yusof, Cambodia’s Prak Sokhonn and Myanmar’s representative Kyaw Nyun Oo. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Trump to host Philippines’ Marcos Jnr to discuss Asia trade, security

The Philippines and the US have boosted mutual defence engagements to step up deterrence against China’s increasing aggression in Asia.

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China-Philippines relations

South China Sea: expect ‘more provocations’ from Manila, and Hanoi could be next

Beijing ‘must be prepared to respond’, and it might be headed for confrontation with Vietnam over land reclamation, analyst warns.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s fighter jet deal to ‘quietly’ boost South China Sea defences

The jets are part of a close, ‘under the radar’ US-Malaysia defence partnership, even as Kuala Lumpur continues engaging China positively, analysts say.

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A US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off. 16. Washington has approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Taiwan debuts US-made Abrams tanks during live-fire drills as PLA flexes muscles

Taiwanese military tests new M1A2T tanks during annual Han Kuang Exercise in show of force aimed at boosting morale, combat readiness.

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A US-made M1A2T Abrams tank takes part in military exercises in Hsinchu, Taiwan on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
China-Asean relations

China blasts ‘immoral’ US trade practices, courts Asean on free trade unity

Foreign Minister Wang Yi presses Southeast Asian countries to not undermine interests of ‘third parties’ as region grapples with US tariffs.

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Asean

Rubio assures Malaysia has more time to negotiate US tariffs, Anwar says

Rubio reiterates to Anwar that Malaysia remains an important US partner and Washington is keen to boost cooperation with Asean.

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China-Philippines relations

Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over travel ban on former senator

Manila said the ban on ex-senate majority leader Francis Tolentino was ‘inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect’ between countries.

Former senator Francis Tolentino said the ban was a “badge of honour”. Photo: AP
The Philippines

F-35 drills in Philippines signal US ramp-up in combat readiness in Asia-Pacific

Analysts say the advanced fighter jet’s deployment shows Manila’s deep integration into US deterrence planning in the region.

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US-China relations

Opinion | To quieten drumbeats of war in US and China, cool heads must prevail

Sabre-rattling might rally a domestic political base, but true statesmanship lies not in inviting disaster but in mastering its prevention.

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Japan

Japan to bolster Philippine defence with used warships amid China tensions

The export plan involves six Abukuma-class vessels in service by Tokyo’s navy for more than 30 years.

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A Japanese navy destroyer docks at the Port of Manila, Philippines, on June 21. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong weather

T1 warning to remain in force until Sunday noon as hot weather grips Hong Kong

Observatory says likelihood of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signal is ‘rather low’.

The Observatory has said that the weather in Hong Kong is likely to be very hot for the next couple of days. Photo: Jelly Tse
The Philippines

Philippines-China sea dispute takes on legal edge with cyber libel suit

Top Philippine coastguard official takes action against pro-Beijing influencer for claiming that he is a paid US asset.

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Hong Kong politics

‘Powerful’: why Shandong’s visit to Hong Kong is geopolitically significant

Military expert says the visit is ‘a unique exercise in patriotic and national defence education’.

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The Philippines

USS George Washington’s Manila visit signals US commitment amid ‘crowded’ seas

The USS George Washington’s Manila port call comes just days after China deployed two of its carriers to the Western Pacific for military drills.

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The USS George Washington is seen berthing at Manila Bay on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong weather

No 1 typhoon signal to remain in force in Hong Kong until at least Saturday noon

Observatory says tropical cyclone expected to be nearest to Pearl River Delta between Saturday and Sunday morning.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No 1 typhoon signal at 12.20pm on Friday. Photo: Sam Tsang
China’s military drills

How are Chinese carriers pushing limits and testing boundaries in the Pacific?

Training Liaoning and Shandong carriers against each other offers experience that even US military cannot gain in battle: analyst.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong could issue T1 warning on Friday, as potential typhoon develops

Observatory says it will decide on warning signal as potential cyclone looks set to come within 800km of city in coming days.

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