Asia’s territorial disputes

Border clashes, in the sea, air and land
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From the South China Sea to Taiwan, the Diaoyus and the Kurils, the India-China border and the airspace above Singapore and Malaysia, here are Asia's biggest territorial disputes explained.

Latest News
News
Asia Opinion
Illustration: Mario Rivera
Asia Opinion
Opinion|Japan’s defence white paper is the opening move in a longer game
Japan’s latest defence white paper confirms Chinese strategists’ fears that post-war pacifist guard rails are being dismantled under the guise of ‘self-defence’.
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A Chinese coastguard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel in South China Sea, as seen in this screengrab of a video released on July 23. Photo: Jay Tarriela/X/Handout/Reuters
Politics
Philippines’ South China Sea education push blurs ‘teaching the truth’ lines
The push by several Philippine lawmakers is to counter what they say are efforts to support pro-Beijing positions over the maritime row.
Philippine police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jnr (right) hosts Wang Xizhang, executive director general of Fujian’s Public Security Department, on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook/Philippine National Police
Diplomacy
Despite South China Sea clashes, Chinese and Philippine police boost cooperation
Philippine National Police and their Fujian province counterparts agree to share intelligence to tackle cross-border crime.
2
One of the China Coast Guard vessels damaged in the crash near Scarborough Shoal last year, according to Philippine authorities. Photo: Handout
Military
China confirms 2 deaths in Scarborough Shoal crash during Philippine ship chase
Beijing honours two coastguard personnel who died in a vessel collision in the South China Sea last year.
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BRP Sierra Madre is seen grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea in April 2023. Photo: AP
People
Philippine sailor on South China Sea outpost under investigation for drug use
The sailor had served in a key position aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, then was involved in resupply runs to the outpost.
Illustration: Henry Wong
Military
In Focus|China’s Palantir? Private tech firms surge into defence AI, aiming to match US giants
Some mainland companies’ tech proficiency may be closing gaps with American counterparts, but challenges remain, analysts say.
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The South China Sea remains a central focus of US military planning as Washington expands efforts to counter China. Photo: US Navy
Politics
China competition looms large in 2027 US defence bill
Taiwan, AI and supply chains headline House and Senate proposals as lawmakers broaden efforts to counter Beijing on multiple fronts.
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Rainy weather over Victoria Harbour and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront earlier this week. Photo: Sam Tsang
Health & Environment
Low chance of typhoon signal in Hong Kong but at least 22 flights to Japan axed
Tropical Cyclone Kujira set to weaken over weekend under countervailing influence of Dolphin, which has been downgraded to a severe typhoon.
Scarborough Shoal is claimed by a number of parties. Photo: Handout
Politics
KMT accuses Taiwan’s government of failing to uphold South China Sea claims
Opposition figure calls on DPP administration to protest to Manila over Philippine attempt to chart a boundary around Scarborough Shoal.
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The Philippine delegation on the presentation of its partial submission concerning the country’s entitlement to an extended continental shelf, together with the members of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on July 29. Photo: Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs
Politics
Will Philippines’ push for seabed rights derail South China Sea code talks?
Analysts say Manila’s move could make it harder for Asean to agree on a common position regarding the code of conduct.
2
Seasats, a California-based autonomous vessel maker, has released footage of a Chinese warship shot by one of its drones. Photo: Seasats
Military
Are commercial sea drones new headache for PLA in South China Sea and Taiwan?
A crewless vessel’s footage of a Chinese warship operating near the Philippines highlights their potential intelligence-gathering role.
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Malaysia’s Defence Minister Khaled Nordin (right) at the 37th International Military Law and Operations Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
Politics
Why Malaysia is urging global powers to uphold international law ‘consistently’
Analysts say the remarks are aimed broadly at powerful states as Southeast Asian nations seek stronger deterrence against coercion.
An FP-1 deep-strike drone launches for a combat mission in an undisclosed location in Ukraine in 2026. Photo: Reuters
Politics
Philippines eyes Ukraine’s drone know-how for South China Sea
Manila likes the look of Kyiv’s low-cost drones, but adapting battlefield tech to grey-zone sea stand-offs won’t be easy.
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The PLA carries out joint naval and air drills around Scarborough Shoal on August 1, days after the Philippines filed its official ​nautical chart for the disputed South China Sea feature with the United Nations. Photo: Handout
Military
‘Rich and powerful options in South China Sea toolbox’: Beijing warns Manila
Strongly worded PLA Daily article is latest in a series of countermeasures as Scarborough Shoal row flares, including military drills.
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Scarborough Shoal is one of the main flashpoints between China and the Philippines. Photo: Xinhua
Military
PLA and coastguards hold South China Sea drills days after Philippine seabed bid
Supersonic anti-ship missiles deployed during exercises near disputed Scarborough Shoal seen as ‘powerful deterrent against provocations’.
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A Chinese soldier stands guard while Indian troops work at the Nathu La Pass in July 2006. Photo: AP
Politics
India and China revive Himalayan trade at high-altitude pass
Six years after Nathu La’s closure and the deadly Galwan border clashes, its reopening throws local traders a lifeline.
1
An instructor teaches trainees to organise clothing at a domestic services training centre in Qingdao, Shandong province, on July 21. Photo: Xinhua
China Economy
Could Filipinos benefit as China opens door to foreign domestic work schools?
Move designed to boost supply and quality of home services as Beijing seeks to create more jobs in a rapidly ageing society.
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Asia Opinion
Opinion|How China and the Philippines can avert clashes over a crumbling ship
Amid fresh clashes over the rusting BRP Sierra Madre, both sides accuse each other of infringing their 2024 agreement. But what did they actually agree to?
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Heavy rain in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse
Health & Environment
Hong Kong cancels amber rainstorm warning, but wet weather to last until Monday
‘Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad trough of low pressure are affecting the coast of Guangdong’, Observatory says.
A team is seen at mission control console inside a South Korean maritime patrol aircraft during a joint exercise as part of the 2026 Rimpac exercise near Honolulu. Photo: The Korea Times
Politics
US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence
Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go.
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Illustration: Davies Christian
Military
The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force
From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance.
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A China Coast Guard vessel sails near Thitu Island on February 21, 2026. Manila’s proposed extended continental shelf would stretch across the seabed near the Philippine-held feature, also known as Pagasa Island. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy
Beijing accuses Manila of ‘flagrantly infringing’ on sovereignty in seabed claim
Beijing urges United Nations commission not to consider the Philippines’ filing to extend its continental shelf in the South China Sea.
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Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro meets China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay last Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Politics
‘Negotiation fatigue’ risks stalling South China Sea code of conduct progress
Efforts to finalise the code between Asean and China this year are hampered to a large extent by differences between Manila and Beijing.
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Jinan University in Guangzhou, China has drawn ire from Manila for holding a symposium where scholars said Beijing should assert sovereignty over the Batanes Islands. Photo: Shutterstock
Diplomacy
Philippine defence chief warns Chinese teaching exchanges pose grey-zone threat
The comments follow reports that language instructors in Manila were trained by a Chinese university at the heart of Batanes controversy.
4
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier on patrol in the Asia-Pacific. Photo: US Navy
Politics
Vietnam to host US aircraft carrier despite Trump’s tariffs, Iran war chaos
A 79-year-old veteran of war with America sees the carrier’s visit as proof of how far relations have come.
1
Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro (left) and EU European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas pose for photos after signing the Enhanced Partnership between the Philippines and the European Union on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Pasay City, on Friday. Photo: EPA
Politics
EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Manila targets ‘fault lines’
Analysts say the European Union considers Manila ‘the most important’ partner for its Indo-Pacific strategy.
4
Philippine troops participate in live‑fire exercises during Balikatan, which also involves US soldiers, in Barangay Aporawan, Aborlan, Palawan, in April. Photo: Reuters
Politics
Philippines seeks coders, hackers for military – will it be ‘a career killer’?
Manila has to offer tech professionals competitive salaries and a good career path without the administrative burden, analysts warn.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on Monday. Photo: AP
Politics
Philippines’ Marcos offers relief, but no clear way to pay, in national address
He vowed tax cuts, cheaper rice and corruption cases against “big fish”, but critics questioned how his government would fund the pledges.
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Illustration: Henry Wong
Asia Opinion
Opinion|How China and the US are sidelining India in its own neighbourhood
India is being denied the uncontested dominance it once held. The task ahead is not to restore the old hierarchy but to find a new path.
12
Opinion
As I see it|America declares international law for thee but not for me
While the US is seeking to dismantle the International Criminal Court, it has signed a statement upholding the Hague tribunal’s South China Sea ruling.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
21
Outside In|How AI is changing the nature of war and conflict
Latest Global Peace Index reflects a world progressively less peaceful as AI enables armies to kill more people more quickly and more cheaply.
David Dodwell
2
Editorial|Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China
While Washington and Beijing softened their rhetoric this year, the US-dominated forum is exhausting its function as a space for engagement.
SCMP Editorial
3
Asian Angle|What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia
The real test of Beijing and Washington’s adoption of ‘constructive strategic stability’ will be how words translate into action.
Hoang Thi Ha
Outside In|India and China are cautiously getting closer, thanks to Trump
The US trade war has prompted India to rethink China. While relations might be short of a breakthrough, deeper engagement is here to stay.
David Dodwell
6
Asian Angle|3 reasons Marcos’ South China Sea energy gambit won’t work
The Philippine president has mooted the idea of joint oil and gas development. China is willing, but history shows this road leads nowhere.
Ian Storey
3
As I see it|Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned
The emerging partnership enables Vietnam to preserve diplomatic flexibility and advance economic diversification in the face of US pressure.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
12
Asian Angle|Doubts about Trump strain Southeast Asia’s US-China balancing act
An increasingly unpredictable Washington is making the region’s traditional hedging strategy harder to sustain.
Joanne Lin
Asian Angle|The Philippine military must transform, not just modernise
Changes to doctrine and force structure are needed to realise the armed forces’ dream of becoming a 21st century military.
Francis C. Domingo
1
Asian Angle|South China Sea: 6 risks facing Philippines, China as conflict threshold lowers
From violent incidents to US missiles in Luzon, a ‘perilous new normal’ and vanishing red lines threaten to derail the Code of Conduct.
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
1
Asian Angle|What a US-China ‘grand bargain’ would mean for Southeast Asia
Washington’s Venezuela raid has resurrected old fears about ‘spheres of influence’, sounding alarm bells for Southeast Asian autonomy.
William ChoongJoanne Lin
3
Asian Angle|Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?
Rising anxieties over Beijing and Moscow have united Berlin and Manila in an axis that must now be institutionalised to ensure it endures.
Frances Mangosing
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