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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.
Showers are forecast to be heavy at times on Sunday. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong set for heavy showers, squally thunderstorms over next few days

Authorities receive six landslide reports between Friday and Saturday evening.

South China Sea

PLA and coastguards hold South China Sea drills days after Philippine seabed bid

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China jobs

Could Filipinos benefit as China opens door to foreign domestic work schools?

South China Sea

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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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
US-China relations

The numbers game: why the US is losing ground to China in the first island chain

The PLA is rapidly progressing towards its 2027 ‘world-class military’ goal in ways that could challenge US defence lines, analysts say.

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India

Ready player 3: India offers Asean a US-China alternative

India pitches trade, missiles and room to hedge as the US and China vie for regional influence.

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US-China relations

How global AI boom is intensifying US-China undersea stand-off

As rise of AI drives spike in cross-border data demand, infrastructure control becomes critical to digital sovereignty and national security.

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China has accused the United States of "politicising" global submarine networks as Washington steadily tightens control over transoceanic data conduits. Photo: Shutterstock
China-Japan relations

Why Japanese stealth fighters over Australia signal defence pivot against China

Back-to-back military drills and new logistics arrangements point to shift in US and allied air power, with northern Australia as a key hub.

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South China Sea

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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South China Sea

‘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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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
China-Asean relations

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.

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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
US-Asean relations

Inside America’s US$1.5 billion play for Southeast Asian energy

Gas exports and mini reactors serve US interests as much as Asia’s – provided promised projects actually lead anywhere.

European Union

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.

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Taiwan

US posts photo of coastguard working with Taiwan after Beijing starts patrols

De facto American embassy says the two sides are coordinating on search, rescue, disaster relief and maritime law enforcement.

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Taiwanese and US coastguard vessels are seen sailing side by side in the photo released by the American Institute in Taiwan. Photo: Handout
Artificial intelligence

AI competition heats up as US targets Southeast Asia’s public sector

Washington’s launch of AI Spark is seen as a move to counter Chinese AI models that have made inroads in Southeast Asia, analysts say.

An illustration of the US and Chinese AI ecosystems. Photo: Shutterstock
US-Asean relations

Exclusive | Philippines, sovereignty, Pax Silica Industrial Hub – how US’ Helberg sees it

Senior US official tackles suggestions that Manila’s jurisdiction could be eroded by a joint supply chain project.

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United States

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.

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South China Sea

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 troops participate in live‑fire exercises during Balikatan, which also involves US soldiers, in Barangay Aporawan, Aborlan, Palawan, in April. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Indonesia’s Singapore rival, Philippines’ economic woes: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s orbital rocket launch to Japanese voters souring on Takaichi, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

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.

China-Japan relations

Beijing fires new salvo at Tokyo with documentary on disputed Diaoyu Islands

Series comes as political and maritime tensions have been ramping up between the neighbours for months.

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The new documentary is not Beijing’s first effort to convince the international community that the Diaoyu Islands are its territory. Photo: CGTN
Hong Kong transport

Passengers still stranded at Hong Kong airport on Monday after Typhoon Noul

Airport Authority says operations have returned to normal and it expects to handle 900 flights over the whole day.

Thousands were stranded at Hong Kong airport over the weekend due to the typhoon. Photo: Edmond So
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Marcos faces the nation as corruption crackdown hits Philippine growth

The president enters his final two years in office juggling a corruption crackdown, a slowing economy and rising hunger.

Hong Kong science and tech

Black Lake CEO’s strategy to sell AI solutions to factories: turn to food couriers

Tech company founder Zhou Yuxiang sits down with the South China Morning Post for his first interview with a Hong Kong media outlet.

Asean

Asian Angle | Decades of talk, zero barrels stored: why can’t Asean stockpile oil?

The Iran war energy crisis revived Asean’s joint reserve plans. To avoid another shelved ambition, the bloc needs swift, binding action.

Southeast Asia is projected to account for one-fifth of global energy demand growth through 2035. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong weather

Typhoon Noul: 2,000 passengers left stranded overnight at Hong Kong airport

Airport Authority provides extra 600 seats and food for travellers, while some lament hotel room rates increasing to HK$2,000 to HK$3,000.

Hong Kong’s Airport Authority provided about 600 additional seats for stranded passengers. Photo: Dickson Lee
Asean

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

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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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