South China Sea
TOPIC
 / location

South China Sea

A Chinese military vessel keeps watch from afar as US warships take part in a maritime exercise with Japan in the Philippine Sea. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Will Trump’s return signal stormier waters for Beijing in South China Sea?

Efforts on to assure allies ‘the US is still committed to upholding its role in the Indo-Pacific’ as ‘America first’ Trump waits in wings.

videocam
10
The Philippines

PLA uniform found on ship stopped in Philippines, raising security fears

Vietnam

Vietnam’s aircraft deal with US reflects closer ties – is China ‘not happy’?

14
G7

Blinken urges G7 countries to maintain unity in face of China risks

US secretary of state cites Beijing’s economic policies, human rights record and support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

videocam
39
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks on Tuesday at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Fiuggi, Italy. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines, Japan to host advanced US missile units in move to counter China

The Philippine Army has confirmed the deployment, saying the plan is at its early planning stage.

videocam
9
China-Philippines relations

Tensions seen rising in South China Sea as Wang Yi calls for ‘friendly’ talks

In video address to symposium, top diplomat also warns any attempt to violate sovereign rights that ignores ‘the basic facts’ will fail.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines

US task force backs Philippine Sea operations in ‘clear signal to China’

The deployment of US soldiers in Palawan enhances intelligence gathering for Second Thomas Shoal, underscoring the Philippine stance in the dispute, analysts note.

videocam
21
A Philippine resupply vessel (in green) encounters a Chinese coastguard boat near the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea. China has repeatedly impeded Manila’s missions to repair and resupply the BRP Sierra Madre grounded at the shoal. Photo: AP
Science

China develops first cable winch system that can reach deepest place on Earth

The Haiwei GD11000 can deploy cables to a maximum depth of more than 11,000 metres.

videocam
8
The Philippines

Philippine defence chief raises concerns of disguised Chinese vessels

Latest comments also spark espionage fears as lawmaker claims Chinese intelligence officers may be working in to-be-banned offshore gaming hubs.

videocam
US-China relations

Trump’s return may raise risk of escalation in South China Sea, analyst warns

Forum told that the lack of legally binding rules for air and sea encounters increases the danger, especially if US military activity increases.

videocam
15
Chinese and Philippine coastguards have clashed repeatedly near a grounded Philippine warship on Second Thomas Shoal. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines

‘Valued partner’: why is Philippines’ Marcos Jnr openly backing Ukraine?

While shared values may underpin Marcos Jnr’s stance, observers say it could also indicate calculated deference to US influence in the region.

videocam
9
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) is greeted by his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr during a meeting inside the presidential palace in Manila on June 3. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China relations

US troop aid may reassure Philippines but will prod China: analysts

For Beijing, the US defence secretary’s revelation of deployment to Task Force Ayungin could be ‘nerve-racking’, says analyst.

videocam
7
The Philippines

Philippines’ new visa rules cause headaches for Chinese businesses

Manila’s visa rules to combat fraud are hindering legitimate Chinese businesses, affecting the local economy and increasing Sinophobia.

videocam
10
Asean

Southeast Asia admits China’s sway, but South China Sea stress sows distrust: study

Southeast Asian elites prefer an Asean-led regional order, despite acknowledging China’s growing influence, but the bloc faces its own challenges.

videocam
The national flags of the various countries attending the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit are displayed in Bangkok. Photo: AP
The Philippines

US gives Philippines ‘force multiplier’ drones to counter China in disputed waters

The Mantas T-12 unmanned surface vessels can be used for stealth spying, resupplying BRP Sierra Madre or retrofitted for combat, analysts said.

videocam
25
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivers a speech during a ceremony Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines on November 18. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anthony Loke pitches alternative route to China via pan-Asian rail

The Malaysian transport minister says the transport of goods via high-speed trains to China will help bolster regional supply chains.

videocam
5
The Philippines

How the Philippines wins Western support with its ‘vocal’ South China Sea stance

Analysts say the Philippines’ transparency initiative is spotlighting China’s actions and rallying global allies in the US and Europe.

videocam
23
Advertisement
Advertisement
SCMP Highlights

Recap | Hong Kong escalator chaos, Tokyo’s sex trade secret: 5 most-read stories

Here are five of our most popular stories from the past few days. Find out what people have been reading the most on SCMP.com.

A video circulating online showed several people sprawled on a halted escalator at an exit of the East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
China-Philippines relations

Opinion | China draws red line at Scarborough Shoal after Manila’s new maritime laws

Beijing’s move aims to legitimise future enforcement measures while avoiding overt military escalation, a hallmark of its strategy in contested maritime areas.

videocam
The Philippines

South China Sea: Philippines and US sign pact to plug maritime intelligence gaps

The deal gives Manila access to capabilities like advanced satellite imagery that analysts say will help counter China’s grey-zone tactics.

videocam
5
US-China relations

South China Sea ‘crises’ still likely during next Trump term: military expert

Retired PLA officer predicts risk of ‘accidents’ could grow after Donald Trump returns to White House, but Beijing is ‘better prepared now’.

videocam
13
A Chinese ship uses water cannons on a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea in August 2023. Military expert Zhou Bo says that despite frequent clashes between Beijing and Manila, a deadly conflict between the US and China is more likely in the next four years. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP
The Philippines

‘Display of arrogance’: deep divisions surface at Manila’s South China Sea forum

As the ramming of ships and use of water cannons dominated discussions, questions arose about the legality of China’s actions.

videocam
9
A Chinese coastguard ship collides with a Philippine vessel near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea in August. Photo: AFP
United States

Opinion | For China, the end of Pax Americana under Trump will be a gift

A US pullback from Europe, Nato and Asia means less pressure and more room for China to attain its trade and security goals.

videocam
5
US-China relations

Xi calls on US to show ‘extreme caution’ on Taiwan matters, South China Sea

‘Support China’s peaceful reunification’, avoid provocation in South China Sea, President Xi Jinping tells Joe Biden in Lima.

videocam
89
Science

How Beijing flipped the South China Sea game with a single island

An isolated reef in the Spratly Islands holds the key to improved Chinese response times in the region, a new study says.

videocam
41
Fiery Cross Reef has been developed by China into an integral, strategic military base in the contested Spratly Islands. Photo: PLA
Asean

Opinion | Pragmatic Southeast Asia will adapt to Trump’s ‘America first’ agenda

The region is already bracing itself for the reinstatement of a more transactional and nationalist policy agenda in the White House.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Diplomacy

Editorial | Common approach best for ties between China and Indonesia

Presidents Xi Jinping and Prabowo Subianto have complementary development visions for their countries and dialogue is the way forward.

Malaysia

Focus on China, analysts warn, as Malaysia and Philippines clash over sea claims

Analysts urge Asean to prioritise unity over China amid escalating maritime disputes, and Malaysia’s protest over Philippine laws affecting Sabah’s boundaries.

videocam
10
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
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.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
LATEST China Science NEWS

China takes back physics research crown it lost to US in 2023: annual report

videocam
19
Physics research in China has taken back the top spot it had in 2022, after losing it to the US last year, according to latest Research Fronts report. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese team’s cell turns ambient heat into power – no sunlight required

Chinese scientists say their hydrovoltaic cell achieved stable electricity output with negligible water consumption, which could make it suitable for extreme environments like deserts. Photo: Xinhua

China declares space milestone in launch of ‘self-driving’ radar satellites

videocam
On Monday, a Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying two satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre to send Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and 04 into the preset orbit. Photo: Xinhua

This robot jumps and lands like a cat. It could be used to explore asteroids

videocam
The AI learned through trial and error to refine its movements for stable landings. Photo: Handout

How a Chinese lab aims to keep data hackers at bay with a new MCU design

11
The security of Zijinshan Laboratory’s MCU is based on having three cores instead of one. Photo: Handout
MORE China Science NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement