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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

Google DeepMind director Cao Liangliang makes a boomerang return to Hong Kong

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Machine learning and computer vision expert Cao Liangliang says his appointment as chair professor of data science and artificial intelligence at PolyU is “a full-circle moment for me”. Photo: Handout

China achieves microwatt milestone with self-reliant carbon-14 nuclear battery

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Northwest Normal University and Gansu Zhulong Technology have released a carbon‑14 nuclear battery and silicon carbide (SiC) transducer. Photo: Gansu Zhulong Technology

Chinese researchers find a peephole to any smartphone in its leaked radio signal

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The researchers tested the non-contact forensic technique on Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro. Photo: Shutterstock

China’s asteroid hunter nears target after 400 days, though size is a surprise

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China’s Tianwen-2 probe, which lifted off on May 29, 2025, has come within 20km of its target, according to CNSA. The mission aims to sample 2016 HO3 and study the main-belt comet 311P. Photo: Xinhua

Why China’s technical schools offer both hope and despair for jobless college grads

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As more Chinese university graduates turn to vocational schools to improve their job prospects, some say their experience has not provided a straight path to a desired job. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
MORE China Science NEWS
Ships identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as Chinese research vessels are seen at Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on June 15. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Beijing slams Manila’s South China Sea claims ahead of 2016 Hague anniversary

Philippines’ claims lack historical and legal basis, state-affiliated think tank says in another critique of maritime dispute.

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The Philippines

After China sanctions Philippines’ defence chief, Marcos breaks his silence

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China's military weapons

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?

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India

India to supply Indonesia with long-range missiles

The two countries will also collaborate on air-to-air missiles cooperation that ‘enhances technology collaboration and defence capabilities’.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) greets Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto after a joint press conference following their meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Nato can’t be ‘naive’ about China as it ramps up military might, Rutte claims

Nato’s secretary general contacts Japan’s defence minister after Chinese nuclear submarine fires test missile into Pacific.

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The Philippines

How does an outgunned air force defend the South China Sea?

Manila is spending billions to transform its underfunded air arm into a maritime shield against Beijing.

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Middle East

Opinion | How bitter Persian Gulf rivals can make peace the Asean way

Promoting de-escalation and shared prosperity in the Persian Gulf may seem arduous now. It once looked that way in Southeast Asia, too.

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An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US mural, depicting an Iranian and US negotiation table, next to the former US embassy in Tehran, Iran, on June 22. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

Beijing sends new coastguard force into waters east of Taiwan

Xiushan ship formation has replaced Daishan group to continue ‘routine law enforcement patrols’, Beijing says, as Taiwan shadows fleet.

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China-Philippines relations

Is build-up of Philippine bases for US use on track? Chinese analysts weigh in

South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative says base infrastructure expansion ‘has fallen short of expectations’.

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China's military weapons

Why it matters that China’s advanced fighters can use all its carriers

While the J-15T was designed to use an advanced launch system, new images show it operating from the older Liaoning carrier.

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Analysts say the J-15T's ability to take off from, and land on, all of China’s aircraft carriers has implications for the country’s combat integration. Photo: CCTV
US-China relations

Wang Yi warns Rubio to approach Taiwan affairs with ‘utmost caution’

Beijing’s top diplomat tells US Secretary of State to expand cooperation, manage risks in Taiwan-related issues during call on Tuesday.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at the UN headquarters in New York in May. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Tallest South China Sea tower; Chinese experts leave US: 7 science highlights

From two Chinese scientists leaving the US to a desalination prototype, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong to issue No 1 typhoon signal on Thursday as tropical depression nears

Storm is expected to remain about 400km from the city, weather forecaster says.

China-Philippines relations

PLA vessels shadow US-Philippine drills in South China Sea near disputed shoal

Beijing says joint patrols in waters near Scarborough Shoal undermined regional stability and vows to safeguard ‘territorial sovereignty’.

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Manila said four Chinese vessels shadowed a US-Philippine maritime exercise near the disputed Scarborough Shoal over the weekend. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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The State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia, Michael DeSombre, said on Thursday that the long-standing US policy known as the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan is still operating. Photo: AFP
US military

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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Mexico

China discovers rare coral reef blue hole in disputed Scarborough Shoal

Beijing has used law enforcement patrols and scientific study to boost its control over the contested South China Sea area.

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China's military weapons

PLA’s advanced carrier Fujian transits Taiwan Strait amid military drills

The vessel’s passage comes a day after island starts a five-day exercise to boost its combat readiness.

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A surveillance photo released by the Taiwanese defence ministry shows the Fujian, the People's Liberation Army's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, as it transits the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo
The Philippines

Chinese-Filipino groups downplay Sinophobia over earthquake aid in Philippines

The community is drawing attention partly due to the South China Sea row and spying cases involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

Science

China builds record-breaking 100-metre observation tower in South China Sea

Built to withstand super typhoons, the structure will help collect detailed information about atmospheric conditions and extreme weather.

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China's military weapons

What is China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning testing – and why does it matter?

Forty days of training in South China Sea and western Pacific Ocean comes amid a push for extended range and amphibious coordination.

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The Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group is said to have returned to its home port in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Monday, after completing more than 40 days of far-sea combat training. Photo: CCTV
China’s navy

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

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The Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang encountered four Chinese warships near Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, according to Philippine media. Photo: GMA Network
The Philippines

Strong ties, even stronger dollar propel US to top of Philippine tourism market

The Philippines, however, attracted just 2.1 million of Southeast Asia’s 48.5 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of this year.

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China-Japan relations

China says it warned off multiple Japanese ‘provocations’ during carrier drills

State media airs footage of several encounters involving warships and planes during the Liaoning carrier group’s recent operations in the Pacific.

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Asean

Opinion | Beyond geopolitics: for Asean, China is a structural reality

Faced with the structural reality of China, Southeast Asia is trying to turn it into an advantage without losing control of its choices.

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China and Asean sign a free-trade upgrade protocol in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines

Philippines taps ‘smarter, cheaper’ Australian drones to deter China

The underwater drones could enhance Manila’s capability to record Beijing’s intrusion in its waters, analysts say.

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Australia has provided the Philippine coastguard with additional aerial and undersea drones to support its modernisation. Photo: Facebook/Australia in the Philippines
Malaysia

How a surge in midnight sea incursions is threatening Malaysia’s blue economy

The success of Malaysia’s maritime economic development depends on its ability to monitor and protect its waters, experts say.

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US-China relations

John Mearsheimer’s talk to SCMP about US-China ties, Iran war

Video and transcript of international relations expert’s exclusive chat with SCMP Plus about the Middle East, long-term US-China competition, East Asia tensions.

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