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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.
The Manila-bound Cebu Pacific flight was originally scheduled to depart at 2pm on Saturday and arrive at 4.25pm. File photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong transport

Manila-bound flight returns to Hong Kong after suspected cargo door issue

Police say flight CEB143 landed safely at airport, with no injuries reported.

Religion

Video | Inside Asia’s only dedicated exorcism centre

Cinema

Silent film: Philippines’ ‘Spider-Man’ screening reveals deaf inclusion gap

China exports

Beyond compliance: zero-carbon estates give China’s battery makers a global edge

With the EU’s binding carbon cap taking effect as early as 2028, the route to compliance for Chinese firms could offer a long-term advantage.

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A lithium battery production line at a factory in Huaibei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

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.

China-Philippines relations

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.

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SCMP Highlights

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

From Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao’s burger brand to Filipino star Eala’s maiden WTA win, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Live dogs for sale behind Rajin market in North Korea. Photo: SCMP
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Beyond call centres? Philippines reopens Manila for outsourcing edge

Analysts say the move could help the Philippines compete for higher-value offshore functions and boost countryside development.

South China Sea

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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Asean

Why the UK is doubling down on Asean ties amid European reset

Observers say the move to engage Asean is less a policy reset than continuity in Britain’s post-Brexit engagement with the bloc.

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UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband (left) speaks during the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with the United Kingdom in Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: EPA
China-Philippines relations

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.

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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
US-China relations

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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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong ship crews stranded in Strait of Hormuz ‘safe and offered counselling’

Industry representative says the stranded crew face little immediate safety risk, though months at sea have affected them mentally and physically.

Hong Kong weather

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.

Rainy weather over Victoria Harbour and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront earlier this week. Photo: Sam Tsang
Energy

Can France help the Philippines overcome its nuclear power baggage?

Paris is ready to share its nuclear energy expertise with Manila as part of efforts to deepen defence cooperation, outgoing envoy says.

Vapour rises from cooling towers of a nuclear power plant in Saint-Vulbas, central eastern France, in January 2022. About 70 per cent of France’s power supply comes from nuclear energy. Photo: AFP
Crime

Arrest of ‘fake Filipino’ sharpens concerns over security risks in key sectors

The case of Maxipro president Lawrence Ke Sy underscores a shift in how Philippine authorities approach national security, analysts say.

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Hong Kong society

Li Ka Shing Foundation, Disney gift 24,000 domestic helpers Toy Story 5 tickets

Registration on Klook to open at 9pm on Wednesday in latest collaboration between Hong Kong tycoon’s charity foundation and The Walt Disney Company.

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WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Video | Eala makes history as first Filipino to win WTA singles title

With the win, the tennis player who started the year ranked outside the world’s top 50 will jump to a career-high 20.

Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
SCMP Highlights

Malaysian influencer controversy, Cambodia’s tourism slump: 7 Asia highlights

From Philippines’ army wanting more hackers to facial massage fighting dementia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Taiwan

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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South China Sea

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.

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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
South China Sea

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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Seasats, a California-based autonomous vessel maker, has released footage of a Chinese warship shot by one of its drones. Photo: Seasats
Singapore

Singapore battles speed of youth radicalisation as concerns mount

Observers say boosting relationships, digital literacy and emotional resilience can help young people better reject violent ideologies.

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Asean

What Turkey’s upgrade to Asean dialogue partner status means

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calls the development ‘of utmost importance’ in its relationship with Asia-Pacific countries.

Ukraine

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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An FP-1 deep-strike drone launches for a combat mission in an undisclosed location in Ukraine in 2026. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Open Questions | China’s military goal is to stand neck and neck with US: ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo

Prominent commentator shares insights on the PLA’s 2027 goal, competition with the US, the Taiwan issue and the peacetime dilemma.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
South China Sea

‘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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Japan

Filipino housekeepers mop up growing demand across Japan

Japan’s housekeeping services market has been expanding as the number of dual-income households increases.

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