South China Sea
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South China Sea

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’s new technology achieves ‘unprecedented’ rare earth production speed

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Conventional rare earth mining can have damaging environmental impacts, but a new method developed in China could be good news for the sector. Photo: Reuters/Stringer

Educated overseas: has it become a curse to China’s young jobseekers?

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Chinese graduates with foreign degrees are being excluded by many provinces in a civil service recruitment programme. Photo: AFP

China releases powerful electronic warfare weapon design software – for free

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Industrial software for designing electronic warfare weapons has been released for free by Chinese researchers. Photo: Shutterstock

China-born gene-editing star scientist Zhang Feng recognised with top US prize

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White House director of science and technology policy Arati Prabhakar (left) presents China-born MIT professor Zhang Feng with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Photo: Ryan K. Morris

China plans to build ‘Three Gorges dam in space’ to harness solar power

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A Long March-5 rocket is seen at the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China. The much larger Long March-9, a reusable heavy-lift rocket, will be used to realise plans for the solar power station in space. Photo: Xinhua via AP
MORE China Science NEWS
(From left) Incoming commander General Xavier Brunson, outgoing commander General Paul LaCamera, US Navy admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, and South Korea’s acting defence minister Kim Seon-ho inspect troops during a change-of-command ceremony for the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on December 20. Photo: EPA-EFE
War and conflict

Opinion | Why the US will not allow a nuclear-armed South Korea

While Seoul’s own nuclear defence would lessen the US security burden, it would also undermine American interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

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China-Asean relations

Chinese and Indonesian coastguards pledge deeper cooperation

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The Philippines

Philippines starts Spratly Islands upgrades after months of tension with China

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Japan

Japan, Indonesia plan a joint warship amid China tensions at sea

The project signals Tokyo’s desire for wider security ties in the region and Jakarta’s aim for more joint weapon developments, analysts say.

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Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo and other warships sail off the coast of Japan. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Tariffs, turmoil and Trump: untangling Malaysia’s Asean chair to-do list

Can Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomatic finesse help Malaysia steer Asean through the storm of rising trade tensions and regional crises?

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The Philippines

Opinion | How the Philippines is managing a cold war abroad – and at home

The removal of the Dutertes from the security council is a calculated move by Marcos Jnr to prevent the family, perceived as pro-China proxies, from exerting influence.

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The Philippines

Philippine politicians worry about ‘warmonger’ Trump’s aggressive foreign policy

Several groups say Donald Trump poses a grave danger to the region and worry the US president-elect may involve the Philippines in a war.

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President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants the US to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesia to keep pushing for South China Sea code, expand defence ties

Foreign minister Sugiono outlined Jakarta’s diplomatic agenda that included peaceful conflict resolution and continued support for Gaza.

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Malaysia

Malaysia and Japan to develop green energy projects, Ishiba eyes defence ties

Among their agreements, both countries will jointly develop hydrogen energy and partner in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza.

China-Asean relations

PLA chief of joint staff Liu Zhenli visits Malaysia on first overseas trip

Malaysian prime minister hails ‘strong’ China ties in talks with Liu, as defence minister urges dialogue to manage South China Sea issues.

Liu Zhenli, PLA joint staff chief and Central Military Commission member, with Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: X/ KhaledNordin
The Philippines

Philippines urged to ‘lean into US alliance’ to deter China in disputed sea

Manila can invite US military to undertake humanitarian operations or partner American company for oil exploration in disputed waters, analyst says.

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Philippine marines during a joint visit, board and seizure (VBS) exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts in Cavite province, west of Manila in October 2024, as part of the annual Philippines-US joint marines exercise dubbed Kamandag (Venom). Photo: AFP

Higher risk of aerial face-off with Manila in South China Sea: Chinese analyst

Warning from top maritime analyst Hu Bo comes as China intensifies efforts to assert claims over disputed, busy waterway.

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The Philippines

‘Show of force’? Huge Chinese ship seen near shoal contested with Philippines

Observers interpret the presence of the 165-metre vessel near Scarborough Shoal as a warning to Manila about its military ties with the US.

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China-Philippines relations

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

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US president-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is expected to take a confrontational approach to Beijing, fuelling tensions in the South China Sea, according to a Chinese expert. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Drone discovery in Philippines spurs call for US military expansion

Filipino congressman Robert Ace Barbers’ call comes after a drone was recovered off Masbate, which he says could be a spying device.

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A submarine drone suspected to be from China found by fishermen off a coast in Masbate province, Philippines. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Open Questions | Obama-era diplomat Daniel Russel on Trump 2.0’s potential effects on China

In a less forgiving global environment for Beijing, how will Donald Trump’s second term play out for Taiwan?

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s BrahMos plans spotlight India’s rising Southeast Asian security role

The US$700 million deal would make Vietnam the second nation in the region to acquire the supersonic cruise missiles after the Philippines.

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The Philippines

‘We are a frontline state’: how the Philippines is preparing for a US-China war

The US treaty ally is spending billions to arm itself for a conflict over Taiwan or the South China Sea it hopes will never come.

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Soldiers march during a military parade held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City last month to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Philippine military. Photo: AFP
Science

Chinese war games system sees surprise US attack on PLA in South China Sea

When key details about a US stealth anti-ship missile were added to a war games simulation, the results were unexpected.

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China-Philippines relations

Why 2024 was the ‘most violent, dangerous’ point in Philippine-China ties

June 17 clash at Second Thomas Shoal, China’s grey-zone activities among Philippines’ challenges as it sought to boost defence in disputed sea.

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The Philippines

Is US naval activity in Philippine waters to counter China’s Typhon objection?

USNS Victorious’ presence near Luzon is to signal Washington’s commitment to the Philippines amid the Typhon row with China, analysts say.

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US soldiers conduct a Tomahawk missile launch from the Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, launcher at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California last year. Photo: Handout via US Army
China-Asean relations

Chinese warships make port call in Vietnam after talks on joint patrols

Fleet led by destroyer and amphibious warfare ship docked in eastern city of Da Nang, PLA says.

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Chinese warships made a port call in Da Nang on Saturday. Photo: Weibo/PLA Southern Theatre Command
Japan

Why did Chinese ships spend record 353 days near Diaoyu Islands in 2024?

Beijing’s action aims to undermine Tokyo’s sovereignty over the islands and push Japanese defensive capacities to their limit, analysts note.

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Climate change

Opinion | Asia must not let its appetite for sand consume its rivers and seas

The environmental consequences of sand mining are immense. Across Asia, rivers are shrinking, coastlines eroding and ecosystems unravelling.

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US-China relations

Trump’s first 100 days: can Beijing stop downwards spiral in US-China ties?

Early contact with new administration seen as an important ‘window of opportunity’ for Beijing to help set the course of future relations.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Diplomacy

Opinion | With South Korea in crisis, what black swans lurk for East Asia in 2025?

Signs of upheaval and uncertainty in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines will be compounded as the US recalibrates its East Asia policy.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-Philippines relations

How a China-Philippines flashpoint could prove an early test for Trump

The escalating dispute over the South China Sea atoll risks dragging in the US, a long-term ally of Manila.

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The Philippines

Philippines forges ahead with Typhon purchase plan: ‘China should not intervene’

Experts say the move is a declaration of self-reliance and a calculated gamble amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea.

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