Advertisement
Advertisement
South China Sea
TOPIC
 / location

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

Chinese AI lets everyday users command quantum computing with natural language

videocam
Researchers and developers can access the system through a lightweight interface rather than building quantum environments from scratch. Photo: Shutterstock

Chip prodigy returns to China, hybrid crop grown in desert: 7 science highlights

Chip expert Da Bo, deeply involved in the building of TSMC’s 3nm plant in Japan, has returned to China with his team. Photo: Handout

Can China’s caesium-from-brine tech cut reliance on Canadian, Australian ores?

videocam
7
The Tanco mine in Canada is among the major global commercial sources of caesium. China’s Sinomine Resources controls operations here. Photo: Handout

Top Chinese map-making scientist Zhou Chenghu netted in anti-corruption sweep

videocam
25
Leading cartographic scientist Zhou Chenghu is being investigated by central and local anti-corruption bodies for “suspected serious violations of duty”, Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has confirmed. Photo: Handout

Biomedicine | China steps up Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s drug push, looks to TCM

China steps up Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s drug push, looks to TCM
MORE China Science NEWS
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) shakes hands with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in Tokyo on May 28. Photo: Kyodo
Taiwan

How Japan, Philippines are building a maritime security front against China

Tokyo-Manila defence cooperation is linking Pacific flashpoints, with broad implications for Beijing, analysts say.

videocam
8
China-Philippines relations

Beijing to Manila: don’t let ‘clowns’ sabotage ties with ‘political theatrics’

videocam
14
US-China relations

Editorial | Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China

The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos gets worst rating of his presidency so far. Here’s why

A net satisfaction rating of minus 15 marks the worst showing of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s presidency so far.

4
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo
Taiwan

Taiwan targets Beijing’s grey-zone tactics near remote South China Sea islands

Surge in mainland Chinese coastguard vessels around the Dongsha over past year fuels concerns in Taiwan, with navy tasked to help respond.

videocam
4
US-China relations

US and China hold ‘candid’ maritime military safety talks in Hawaii

Officials discussed ways to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations during encounters between their forces.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines

Philippines and Vietnam close ranks on South China Sea as To Lam visits

The Vietnamese president is wrapping up a Southeast Asia tour aimed at shoring up regional security alliances.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (right) and Vietnam’s President To Lam shake hands at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

videocam
4
The Philippines

Philippines says Beijing main hurdle to South China Sea code of conduct

Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, defence chief Teodoro blamed China for stalling the pact and stressed Asean’s unity on the issue.

videocam
13
China-Japan relations

Japanese minister rejects ‘new militarism’ label from China in Shangri-La speech

‘Every country must be able to choose its future by its own will,’ Shinjiro Koizumi says at Singapore defence forum.

videocam
59
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said: “This region must remain open to all countries that respect our shared rules and principles”. Photo: AP
Singapore

Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, the East Timor president cites Asean as an example of how communication can prevent conflict and yield dividends.

videocam
Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Asean

Opinion | Why the Philippines walks a delicate balance as Asean chair

Manila’s success at the helm will depend on its ability to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations more operational than before.

videocam
China's military weapons

Is PLA’s response to Dutch warship ‘putting down a marker’ in South China Sea?

Chinese military has claimed for the first time that it used ‘electronic countermeasures’ when the frigate entered disputed waters.

The Dutch frigate De Ruyter was involved in the confrontation near the contested Paracel Islands. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

‘Illegal and void’: China condemns Japan-Philippines maritime border talks

Beijing says negotiations between Tokyo and Manila cover area east of Taiwan where it maintains exclusive economic zone.

23
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) shake hands before talks in Tokyo on May 28, 2026. Photo: Kyodo
Vietnam

Vietnam, Philippines to forge stronger ‘alignment’ on 50 years of ties

Analysts say To Lam’s first visit to Manila as state leader signals Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and investment in Asean partnerships.

US-China relations

China slams US commander’s ‘dagger’ label for South Korea

Chinese embassy in Seoul says US Forces Korea commander Xavier Brunson’s ‘hostile and aggressive remarks’ on podcast ‘crossed the line’.

videocam
13
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Malaysia

‘Tiger without fangs’: Malaysia navy faces turbulence over Norway’s missile ban

While Malaysia considers alternatives from ‘three to four countries’, analysts say an advanced missile system is crucial for its navy.

A test launch of a Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace naval strike missile from a ship. Photo: Kongsberg
The Philippines

Beijing accuses Manila of ‘selective and discriminatory’ Chinese arrests

Embassy urges the Philippines to protect ‘personal safety and legitimate rights’ of detainees after 24 Chinese nationals arrested on Monday.

videocam
China’s coastguard

China slams ‘provocative acts’ after driving Dutch warship away from Paracels

PLA says it used electronic interference and warnings against Dutch frigate as tensions widen in South China Sea.

videocam
69
2026 Xi-Trump summit

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

6
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s trip to this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue marks his fourth visit to the Indo-Pacific region as Pentagon chief. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong braces for Friday scorcher as mercury climbs to 33.7 degrees

Heatwave expected to peak on Friday, triggering ‘extremely hot’ daytime forecast with temperatures of 36 to 37 degrees in New Territories.

People beat the heat with ice cream bars in Central. Photo: Karma Lo
China’s military drills

Type 054B frigate makes carrier force debut with Liaoning for live-fire drills

No sign of J-35 stealth fighter but the PLA Navy’s newest and most advanced frigate makes its carrier force debut.

East China Sea

As allies boost Taiwan Strait transits, why is the US going a different route?

Chinese think tank notes the changing risks: ‘China will inevitably respond, and that makes the overall situation appear more tense’.

videocam
9
US-China relations

Quad foreign ministers fight for relevance as leaders’ summit remains elusive

Critical minerals and Indo-Pacific security took centre stage amid doubts over US commitment and a delayed leaders’ summit.

videocam
10
From left: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose in New Delhi at a meeting of Quad foreign ministers. Photo: Kyodo
Indonesia

How US military aircraft repair hub could threaten Indonesian neutrality

If Indonesia turns Kertajati Airport into a Hercules repair hub, it risks being seen as siding with the US in times of war, analysts say.

videocam
15
Kertajati Airport in West Java is dubbed a “ghost airport” due to its nearly deserted terminals and lack of commercial passenger traffic. Photo: Shutterstock
Dong Jun

China defence chief Dong Jun tipped to skip this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue

The regional security forum opens on Friday in Singapore with no official word yet on who will lead the Chinese delegation.

videocam
7
The Philippines

Marcos’ historic Japan trip: what will Philippine leader seek from Takaichi?

Japan is a key counterweight for the Philippines to deal with its maritime challenges in the South China Sea, analysts say.

videocam
6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement