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 military maglev achieves 0-700km/h acceleration in less than 2 seconds

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Footage of the test aired by state broadcaster CCTV shows a vehicle flashing across the maglev track, leaving a trail of mist in its wake. Photo: CCTV

Bronze Age cemetery offers clues on how ancient Chinese brewed red rice wine

Processes similar to Bronze Age brewing techniques are still used today. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese team tackles a century-old physics puzzle: can we travel back in time?

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A theoretical breakthrough by Chinese scientists could explain why time only moves forward. Photo: Getty Images

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

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(From left) Joshua Zahl, Chen Jing and Zhou Ming. Photo: Handout/Tsinghua University

Lard can actually keep you fit and feeling more comfortable, Chinese study finds

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A scientific study has found that in moderation, lard can have health benefits. Photo: Shutterstock Images
MORE China Science NEWS
A still from a social media video shows a submerged car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Social media users hailed migrant workers for their quick response in saving the driver. Photo: X/HaggerDarren
Singapore

Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms

Passionate online discussions have revealed concerns about power, accountability and how the country sees itself.

Singapore

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

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China-Japan relations

China’s military build-up could ‘seriously’ affect Japan’s security, Tokyo warns

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The Philippines

Philippines struggles to win back Chinese tourists as regional rivals surge

New data shows Chinese arrivals to the Philippines hit 312,000 last year, only 18 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

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Chinese tourists from Beijing enjoying Cambugahay waterfalls in Siquijor, Central Visaya, Philippines. Photo: SCMP / James Wendlinger
The Philippines

Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’

A US senator says the support for Manila and other allies reflects the threats posed by China and its partners in the ‘axis of aggressors’.

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China's military weapons

PLA’s Fujian aircraft carrier transits Taiwan Strait as Taipei watches closely

Island’s defence ministry says vessel’s passage through the waterway showed ‘no military intent’ and no aircraft were seen on its deck.

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US-China relations

US denies Indo-Pacific retreat, says aid is being recalibrated to counter China

Washington argues that targeted assistance and partnerships will deepen regional ties and deliver longer-term economic and security gains.

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A toll booth at the Clark Freeport Zone in the Philippines, a sprawling managed economic zone that has received significant US backing through development initiatives. Photo: Handout
China-Philippines relations

China accuses Philippines of ‘premeditated’ provocations near Sabina Shoal

Meanwhile, Manila says Philippine fishing boats were targeted by Chinese coastguard water cannons near disputed South China Sea reef.

US-Asean relations

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

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The Philippines

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

Rising anxieties over Beijing and Moscow have united Berlin and Manila in an axis that must now be institutionalised to ensure it endures.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (left) mets his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro Jnr in Manila last year to discuss defence cooperation. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?

The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.

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A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet performs at an airshow in Qawra, Malta, in September. Photo: Reuters
China-Philippines relations

New South China Sea clashes erupt as Beijing pushes for better Philippine ties

Incidents near the disputed Scarborough and Sabina shoals threaten to undermine recent efforts to put relations on a ‘healthier’ footing.

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Mainland China

Why are South China Sea disputes hard to settle? Expert cites power asymmetry

Chinese analysts say Beijing supports Asean’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ too, so long as sovereignty claims are resolved bilaterally.

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China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gestures as US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during their visit to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28. Photo: AP
China-Japan relations

US joins Japan for military exercise amid Takaichi China row

The Japanese and US air forces flew a training mission over the Sea of Japan in wake of complaints from Tokyo about Chinese military activities in the region.

Japanese F-15 fighters and US B-52 bombers over the Sea of Japan. Photo: Defense Ministry of Japan via Reuters
Taiwan

Beijing seeks ‘fair and just maritime order’ in South China Sea

Vice-minister Sun Weidong says China rejects 2016 arbitration ruling on disputed waters because it breaches fundamentals in international law.

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United States

Rubio and Hegseth discuss Indo-Pacific security with Australian counterparts

At the talks, Rubio hailed cooperation between the US and Canberra on critical minerals, defence production and troop deployments.

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China-Philippines relations

China sends seasoned ‘America hand’ to serve as top envoy to Philippines

New ambassador arrives in Manila as South China Sea tensions flare and the Philippines draws closer to Washington on defence.

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Jing Quan (centre), China’s new ambassador to the Philippines, has vowed to safeguard Beijing’s national interests while serving as a bridge to stabilise China-Philippines relations. Photo: QQ.com
US-China relations

Deterring Taiwan conflict a ‘priority’: US national security report

While Indo-Pacific features prominently in the document, the western hemisphere and domestic security are top White House concerns.

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Vietnam

China ramps up surveillance equipment at Spratly Islands bases: US think tank

Satellites detect new radars and electronic warfare gear at South China Sea outposts, CSIS says.

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Vietnam

‘Strategic’: why are drones taking off among South China Sea claimant states?

Experts weigh the merits and limits of growing pivot in the region to uncrewed aircraft and the potential for 24/7 patrols.

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China-controlled Scarborough Shoal is about 600km (373 miles) from the closest Chinese military base. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Chinese involvement stalls Manila Bay bridge project due to security fears

Philippines delays US$124 million infrastructure project after a maritime group raised concerns against China Harbour Engineering Company.

Illustration of Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge Project. Photo: Handout
India

As India prepares for missile test, presence of Chinese ships marks power jostle

At least four such Chinese vessels have been spotted in the strategic Indian Ocean recently, according to media reports.

China-Japan relations

China bristles as Japan weighs missile export to Philippines

Japan’s possible sale of Type 03 missiles to Manila comes as Tokyo moves to loosen arms-export rules, raising fresh concerns in China.

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Mainland China

Senior Chinese diplomat takes swipe at US over deep-sea mining strategy

‘The oceans are not calm,’ vice-minister warns in comments aimed at Trump executive order pushing American exploitation of seabed minerals.

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An executive order signed by US President Donald Trump allows American private companies to pursue deep-sea mining in areas beyond US jurisdiction without prior approval from the United Nations. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Environment

China gives disputed Scarborough Shoal a clean bill of health

The Philippines also claims the atoll and has accused Chinese crews of using cyanide to catch fish in the area.

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China technology

China’s mega dredger joins ranks of the world’s largest after passing sea trials

The Tongjun is the first Chinese-designed super dredging vessel to successfully complete its five-day testing.

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