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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.
LATEST China Science NEWS

China’s man-made forest in Gobi produces good rubber for military use

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Chinese scientists including Zhu Mingqiang (right) of Northwest A&F University are behind a thriving project to plant high-value alternative “rubber trees” in the Gobi Desert. Photo: Handout

China, Israel continue to collaborate in science and tech despite unrest in Gaza

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Yaroslav Efimov during his China trip. Photo: Embassy of Israel in Beijing. Photo: Handout

In robot-aided surgery, it doesn’t matter where you are: Chinese study

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Chinese research led by Zhang Xu, director of urology at the PLA General Hospital, finds telesurgery may address rising demand for surgical procedures. Photo: Handout

Chipmaking expert Xu Zhenpeng leaves OpenAI-funded start-up for Shanghai role

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Xu Zhenpeng has left the US to take up a full-time position at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (pictured), one of China’s leaders in artificial intelligence hardware research. Photo: Shutterstock

AstraZeneca unveils US$15 billion China investment as Starmer visits Beijing

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AstraZeneca’s US$15 billion China bet marks the biggest deal of Starmer’s Beijing trip. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
H-6K bombers armed with anti-ship missiles took part in the patrols, according to Chinese state media. Photo: CCTV
China’s military drills

China patrols around Scarborough Shoal, days after US-Philippine drills

‘Combat readiness patrols’ meant to counter ‘infringement and provocative actions’, PLA Southern Theatre Command says.

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Japan

Video | South Korea and Japan’s defence ministers face off in table tennis

The Philippines

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s rejection of Darwinian geopolitics is rooted in its history

Davos signalled the collapse of the post-war order but not what will replace it. China can play a role in preventing a descent into anarchy.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Mainland China

China’s Scarborough Shoal presence ‘unprecedented’ in 2025: report

Beijing substantially increased patrols as well as broadened coverage near contested sites in prized waters, researchers say.

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The Philippines

New gas find prompts Philippines to step up defence of energy frontier

The move to boost security around Malampaya East-1 is seen as a test case for protecting future offshore energy projects in contested waters.

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Cambodia

Fear of Thai border action steers Cambodia towards UN law of sea after 43 years

Cambodia’s smaller and weaker navy will find safety in numbers and rule of law now that it has ratified Unclos, according to analysts.

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A soldier stands guard next to Prasat Ta Khwai on January 20. The temple was the site of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in December last year. Photo: Reuters
Philippine Coast Guard

Video | Parents lose baby in Philippine ferry sinking

More than 350 were on board the inter-island ferry from Zamboanga when it sank on its way to Jolo island.

China's military weapons

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

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China-Philippines relations

Filipino crew head home after China Coast Guard rescue near Scarborough Shoal

Chinese vessels transfer 15 survivors and the remains of two others to Philippine ships on Sunday afternoon.

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Surviving crew members of the capsized Devon Bay cargo ship reunite after their rescue by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal on Friday. Photo: Handout
Indonesia

‘Resilience’ is Indonesia’s new foreign policy buzzword, but is it just rhetoric?

Analysts warn the vague concept lacks a long-term strategy and risks Jakarta drifting from its non-aligned values into transactional deals.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (left) meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets in 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. Photo: dpa
US-China relations

US banks on strength – not confrontation – to deny China in Indo-Pacific

Pentagon says it will focus on the first island chain while urging partners to contribute more to the collective defence.

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Asean

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.

China-Philippines relations

Chinese coastguard rescues Filipino sailors near Scarborough Shoal

PLA Navy also deploys plane as search continues for missing crew from capsized vessel.

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The Chinese coastguard rescues Filipino sailors near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Friday. Photo: China Coast Guard
US-China trade war

China reliance and tariff wars emerge as top risks for global defence industry: report

Consultancy warns geopolitical tensions and supply chain exposure are reshaping risk calculations for military manufacturers.

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Heavy dependence on Chinese materials, including critical minerals and semiconductor chips, is leaving the defence sector increasingly exposed to supply-chain risks. Photo: Getty Images
China-Philippines relations

Beijing and Manila working on South China Sea talks ‘road map’: ambassador

Jing Quan says ‘best option is to sit down for talks’ aimed at ending long-running territorial dispute between China and Philippines.

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Diplomacy

China bids to host High Seas Treaty secretariat, even as US exits UN bodies

China puts forward Xiamen as potential future home of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction secretariat as treaty comes into force.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ new gas find offers lifeline as Malampaya field starts to run dry

The discovery of a natural gas well near the island of Palawan suggests the potential to produce even more, Marcos says.

The Malampaya natural gas fields are predicted to run dry in the next few years. Photo: Shell Philippines Exploration
Taiwan

PLA sends drone into airspace near Taiwan-held Pratas Island in South China Sea

Southern Theatre Command cites ‘completely legitimate’ routine flight training, while Taipei calls it ‘provocative and irresponsible’ act.

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US-Venezuela conflict

How US actions in Venezuela and beyond could spell opportunity for China

Beijing is trying to present itself as a more responsible power, but analysts say concrete actions will be needed to win over its neighbours.

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Luxury travel

Looking for a luxury Vietnamese escape with Spanish flair? We know a place

Villa le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel is a stunning beachfront retreat with private villas, a Michelin-star chef and even some coral conservation thrown in.

The Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel is nestled on Vietnam’s stunning coastline on a private beach. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

French ‘intimacy’: Philippines, France near deal for Indo-Pacific strength

The visiting forces deal comes on top of similar pacts with other nations and could help the Philippines attain a ‘muscular defence arsenal’.

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China-Middle East relations

China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ amid anti-government protests in Iran

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing was willing to mediate.

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US-Iran tensions

US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to Mideast as Iran in turmoil

Pentagon orders USS Abraham Lincoln on new mission after live-fire drills near Scarborough Shoal.

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The USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group have reportedly been told to leave the South China Sea and go to the Middle East. Photo: EPA-EFE
Paracel Islands

Beijing looks for social workers for posts on disputed South China Sea islands

Job adverts for ‘community workers’ say military veterans and Communist Party members will be favoured for the positions.

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China has built military and civilian infrastructure on the disputed islands. Photo: Getty Images
The Philippines

New deal eases logistics for Japan-Philippines drills amid China tensions

The agreement removes taxes on military supplies, including weapons and fuel used in joint exercises.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | High Seas Treaty will both boost China’s power and hold it accountable

Beijing realises that maritime leadership will be measured not just by fleets and bases but also by who protects the planet’s last great commons.

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