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

Cambridge ex-vice-chancellor Nigel Slater joins China’s biotech revolution

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Nigel Slater, former pro-vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, has officially embarked on a new chapter in China’s rapidly rising biomedical frontier after joining Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. Photo: Handout

Man behind 99% chips: semiconductor legend Chih-Tang Sah’s ashes leave US for China

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Microelectronics legend Chih-Tang Sah, whose legacy can be found in technologies including digital logic circuits, memory chips, smartphones, computers, aerospace equipment and AI chips. Sah died in July, aged 92. Photo: Handout

Chinese physicists prove Einstein wrong and put century-old debate to an end

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Albert Einstein is seen in Princeton, NewJersey, in 1954. Photo: AP

World’s first ‘ethical AI’ wades into risks of China’s new drug abuse law

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An ethical AI model has questioned the value of a new Chinese regulation to seal the records of people with minor offences rather than link them to a person’s identity information. Photo: Shutterstock Images

US university seeks to dismiss lawsuit from family of neuroscientist Jane Wu

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Northwestern denies allegations that its conduct contributed to the death of professor Jane Wu. The university has been asked to submit a more concise version of its motion to dismiss a lawsuit, with a full hearing scheduled for February. Photo: Handout
MORE China Science NEWS
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
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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US-China relations

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

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Vietnam

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

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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.

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.

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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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The Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, the same model Japan plans to deploy on Yonaguni, an island just 110km (68 miles) from Taiwan. Photo: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
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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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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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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The reef systems at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea are healthy and resilient to climate change, according to a Chinese environmental report. Photo: CCTV
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.

China Communications Construction Company’s Tongjun super dredger has successfully completed its sea trials. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

How Philippines might navigate Asean’s divisions as it prepares to lead bloc

Analysts say the two challenges will weigh heavily on the Philippines’ agenda as chair of the bloc next year.

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US-China relations

China, US hold ‘candid’ security talks amid Japan, South China Sea tensions

Second meeting under Trump 2.0 marks latest effort from both sides to maintain military communication despite tensions over multiple issues.

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SCMP Highlights

US ‘biggest recipient’ of China debt; Beijing’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From a study of China’s lending since 2000 to analysts’ views on Beijing’s spat with Tokyo, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

The US flag towers above hundreds of containers the Port of Los Angeles in California. China has lent far more to the United States in recent years than previously understood, a new AidData study has found. Photo: EPA-EFE
Paracel Islands

Beijing launches historic preservation campaign to cement South China Sea claims

Conservation specialists repair monument on Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Islands, with more preservation work planned.

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A conservation team has spent six days reinforcing a 1946 monument to mark China’s takeover of the Paracel Islands after World War II. Photo: Handout
India

Is naval drill a sign that India, other Quad members can look past differences?

Despite trade tensions, India, the US, Australia and Japan are set to stay the course on defence cooperation within the Quad, analysts say.

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China’s military drills

China’s Fujian carrier completes first training shortly after entering service

‘First maritime live-force training’ since November 5 commissioning comes at a time of growing tensions with Japan over Taiwan comments.

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China’s military drills

China’s aircraft carriers put to ‘train-as-you-fight’ test beyond island chains

PLA Daily sheds new light on navy’s drills to increase launch frequency and far-sea combat readiness.

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The PLA Daily says the Liaoning aircraft carrier has conducted “train-as-you-fight” drills more than 10 times beyond the first island chain. Photo: Xinhua via AP
Asean

Incoming Asean chair Philippines faces a Thailand-Cambodia ‘challenge’

Manila’s task as Asean chair will be to preserve the momentum set by Malaysia amid a crowded 2026 agenda, analysts say.

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Mainland China

Opinion | How does China’s modernising navy stack up against the US seventh fleet?

Between what the US can sustain in the region vs what China can concentrate near its shores, the calculation increasingly favours Beijing.

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China-Asean relations

How a Japan-Philippines defence pact could become a ‘template’ to deter China

PLA sends bomber over South China Sea for ‘routine patrol’ after the Philippines steps up joint drills with allies in the region.

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The pact could create a pathway towards “normalising military interactions” between the Philippines and Japan. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Opinion | Why China need not fear US-led ‘Squad’ evolving into Asian Nato

Uncertainty surrounds the ‘Squad’, including the US’ ability to support another grouping and Trump’s push for a grand bargain with China.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
South Korea

Will Japan and South Korea join Aukus, co-develop nuclear submarines with US?

With US approval for Seoul to develop nuclear submarines, Aukus become a more expansive Indo-Pacific defence network.

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Hong Kong weather

Cloudy, windy weather forecast for Hong Kong as storm Fung-wong departs

Observatory cancels the No 1 typhoon warning at 9.40pm and issues the strong monsoon signal.

China's military weapons

Will China’s new aircraft carrier tilt the power balance in the western Pacific?

The Fujian is the PLA Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier and it is expected to be used to project global power.

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China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was commissioned on Wednesday at a port in Sanya, Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines

Philippines counts cost of storm damage as Typhoon Fung-wong tracks to Taiwan

Fung-wong slammed into the Philippines on Sunday evening as a ‘super typhoon’, uprooting trees and swamping houses.

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Palm trees and residential rooftops stand as strong waves caused by Super Typhoon Fung-wong crash, in Sicmil, Gigmoto, Catanduanes, Philippines, November 9, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Dyves Meno Turado/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. VERIFICATION: Reuters was able to independently verify the location with the palm trees, the position and outline of the buildings that matched by the file and satellite imagery of the area. The date was verified by corroborating weather and local Media reports.
Asean

Philippines courts East Timor as new South China Sea ally in Asean

Next year’s Asean chair has shown interest in formalising defence cooperation with the latest member of the 11-nation bloc.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong Observatory issues T1 as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches

Forecaster says it will assess the need to issue T3 on Tuesday night, when Fung-wong is expected to be closest to the city.

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