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The Philippines
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The Philippines

The Philippines
The Philippines
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on the Philippines, covering politics, economy, society, and Manila’s relationships with China and its Southeast Asian neighbours.
A China-Asean joint statement has stressed the importance of freedom of navigation. Photo: Reuters
China-Asean relations

China and Asean eye closer energy cooperation after latest Middle East fighting

Southeast Asia is heavily reliant on oil imports and has been severely affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Asean

Can Southeast Asia survive more Iran war fuel shocks?

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South China Sea

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

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Energy

Is it all economic doom and gloom for the Philippines?

The energy crisis and turmoil in the Senate are among factors threatening the Philippine economy’s recovery, observers warn.

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A vendor carries bottles of cooking oil to sell at a market in Quezon City, the Philippines, on July 7. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong may consider issuing T3 signal on Saturday as Noul edges closer

Forecaster issues T1 signal at 8.40pm on Friday, says winds and showers are set to strengthen the following day.

Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

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China-Latin America relations

China vows to defend Brazil’s sovereignty as Trump’s 25% tariff bites

Wang Yi tells Brazilian foreign minister Beijing backs Brazil’s sovereignty, and asks for support on ‘China’s own core interests’ in return.

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Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (centre, left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre, right) meet on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
New Zealand

What does New Zealand bring to the Philippines’ security network?

The upgrade to a comprehensive partnership gives both countries a wider framework to deepen cooperation, analysts say.

US-China relations

China, US emphasise stability amid lingering tensions

The US and China seem to be focused on maintaining a fragile truce ahead of a September presidential summit.

Energy

Indonesia-Philippines power link sparks hopes of cheap energy, stable supply

Efforts to establish links under the Asean Power Grid scheme would first need to overcome technical and political hurdles, experts say.

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Makati, the business district of Metro Manila, lights up as night falls. Photo: Shutterstock
Belt and Road Initiative

China Unicom connects Hong Kong-Cambodia cable, widening undersea data network

The submarine cable project ties city with a high-speed data and information corridor running through Southeast Asia.

A new state-of-the-art submarine cable enabling faster internet for Cambodia has made a successful landing in Hong Kong earlier this week. Photo: Sina
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong could issue T1 signal on Friday as storm approaches from Philippines

‘Under its influence, there will be strong winds, heavy squally showers and thunderstorms along the Guangdong coast from late Saturday to Sunday,’ forecaster says.

South China Sea

China, Philippines clash again at Scarborough Shoal, a day after Wang Yi warning

Coastguard encounter follows warning to Manila counterpart of ‘bitter consequences’ if it enlists outside backing in dispute.

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Sara Duterte-Carpio

Philippines’ impeachment trial: court ruling heightens stakes for VP Sara

Ruling allowing access to key financial records could give prosecutors a clearer route to show she amassed ill-gotten wealth, analysts say.

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio during a press conference in February in Manila. Photo: AP
South China Sea

Beijing, Manila should avoid South China Sea ‘miscalculation’: top diplomats

Foreign ministers meet on margins of Asean event in Manila, days after fresh sea clash and outrage over video mocking 2016 arbitral ruling.

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Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Wang and Rubio at Asean discuss Xi’s planned US visit, South China Sea clash

America’s top diplomat describes dispute between Beijing and Manila over Second Thomas Shoal as very negative and benefiting no one.

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US-China relations

Exclusive | Can the US and its allies break China’s grip on rare earths and AI technology?

In an exclusive interview, senior US official says a whole-of-supply-chain strategy is needed to cut dependence on China.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong surpasses July rainfall in just 20 days – why?

Observatory has issued 48 rainstorm warnings since start of last month, nearly double number sent out during same period last year.

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Pedestrians brave heavy rain in Tai Wai on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang
Japan

Japan seeks Southeast Asia sea lanes to avoid troubled waters in region

A proposal to map charts through five straits comes as Japan fears trade disruption from choke points in the South China Sea and off Malacca.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV makers went from small fry to big shots. Can others do the same?

The global green shift is providing a way for emerging economies to catch up with global powerhouses, with help from China’s supply chain.

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US-China relations

As Rubio-Wang talks near, Trump dials down China election meddling rhetoric

US president says Washington will discuss alleged 2020 election interference with Beijing but plays down prospects of retaliation.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen on Sunday before flying to Manila ahead of Asean meetings, where he is expected to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: AP
US-China relations

The US mounts pressure across 3 maritime flashpoints. How should China respond?

Washington’s strategy for Taiwan Strait and East and South China seas aims to force Beijing to overextend, analysts warn.

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A fighter jet takes off from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier during a mission in the South China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean that concluded on June 22. Photo: CCTV
Defence

Philippines taps combat veteran to lead armed forces amid regional tensions

Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete’s career has been closely tied to the restive Mindanao region, which is preparing for polls.

South China Sea

Chinese loans to Philippines stay resilient despite maritime row

The data shows ‘shifts in political tone may matter less’ than commercial considerations, according to AidData, a research group.

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South China Sea

China lodges protest with Philippines after latest Second Thomas Shoal clash

Beijing summons the Philippine ambassador to complain about what it describes as a ‘malicious’ attack on its coastguards.

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The Philippines said one of its servicemen was injured after being hit on the head with a baton. Photo: X.com/SCS_PI
SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s US$500m warship, Philippines’ Pax Silica AI hub: 7 Asia highlights

From Bali’s bid to become a financial hub to Japan’s bind over US’ ICC campaign, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A French Gowind-class offshore patrol vessel, of the design on which Malaysia’s littoral combat vessel is based. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Video | Philippine sailor injured in clash with China Coast Guard

China Coast Guard claims that the Philippines was “first to maliciously attack”.

South China Sea

Chinese and Philippine maritime forces clash at Second Thomas Shoal

Personnel on Chinese speedboat and Philippine dinghy come to blows in countdown to Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila.

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