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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

‘Unhealthy environment’: Arctic researcher Li Xueke leaves the US for Hong Kong

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Li Xueke says her new base in Hong Kong will provide ample opportunities for climate research and sustainable energy. Photo: Handout

Raptor discovery in Argentina points to prehistoric links with China

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Kank australis was a carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs and lived around 70 million years ago. Illustration: Gabriel Diaz Yanten

Why is no one chartering China’s first privately owned research vessel?

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Project leader Cai Yunjie at the launch in May of China’s first privately-funded scientific research vessel. Photo: Getty Images

China tests satellite-linked tracking devices on China-Europe railway express

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BeiDou is a Chinese developed satellite navigation system. Photo: Getty Images

In China’s 6G smart city, every wall and pipe can be a sensor

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Chinese scientists have developed technology designed for 6G and future networks, which can reduce dead zones and boost wireless data rates up to 400 Mbps. Photo: Getty
MORE China Science NEWS
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-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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US military

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

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Mexico

China discovers rare coral reef blue hole in disputed Scarborough Shoal

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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 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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Screenshot from the video aired on Chinese state TV showing a Japanese warship. Photo: CCTV
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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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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SCMP Executive Editor Zuraidah Ibrahim and political scientist John Mearsheimer. Photo: SCMP
US, Israel war on Iran

As Iran war comes to a close, is US pulling warships back to the west Pacific?

US Defence Department changes name of Indo-Pacific Command back to US Pacific Command, suggesting new focus.

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USS Tripoli was among US Navy ships sent to the Middle East as the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

‘Not a single inch’: Philippines vows to block structures at Scarborough Shoal

Observers say Beijing could be using its ‘old playbook’ of deploying scientific activities to boost military presence in the South China Sea.

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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong cancels amber rainstorm warning but more downpours expected

Unsettled weather expected to continue over the next few days.

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Australia

US military plans permanent war-ready weapons stockpile in Australia

US Navy documents show advanced planning for a large stockpile, with US$30 million allocated to build warehouses and offices in Victoria.

US Navy officers stand aboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota docked at HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, Western Australia, on February 26, 2025, during a port visit. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

What is Marcos’ diplomatic end game? Inside Philippines’ South China Sea shift

By making undersea cables and fisheries the issue, analysts say Manila is trying to give all Asean members ‘skin in the game’.

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Australia

China’s direct strike threat to Australia is ‘growing’, think tank report finds

A Lowy Institute report said the main threat to Australia was from Chinese missiles fired from ships, submarines and a new ballistic missile.

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Taiwan

The quiet escalation unfolding around Taiwan’s remote outposts

Taipei says it is the first time mainland Chinese government vessels have entered waters near Taiping.

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Taiping is the largest naturally formed island in the vicinity of Mischief, Subi and Fiery Cross reefs in the southern part of the contested Spratly Islands. Photo: AFP
China-India relations

Bollywood drops Beijing as a villain – is a Russia-China-India axis next?

Softening portrayal of China in a movie about 2020 border clashes hints at warming ties, which Moscow wants to take further.

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Moscow's vision of a Russia-India-China strategic triangle will only become a reality if the two Asian giants can learn to get on better, observers say. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Opinion | Philippines’ belligerence towards China out of step with Asean trend

Manila’s security-first approach and alignment with extra-regional powers is at odds with the pragmatic direction of China-Asean relations.

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The Philippines

China’s ban on Philippine defence chief, family seen as warning shot to Manila

Analysts say Beijing may be trying to ‘kill the chicken to warn the monkeys’, as Manila faces calls for a tit-for-tat response.

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Taiwan

What’s behind Beijing’s seabed mapping east of Taiwan?

Expert says knowledge of the waters and seabed could allow ‘more effective submarine and anti-submarine operations’.

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Beijing’s Haixun 08 vessel – China’s largest and most advanced survey ship – conducted survey operations covering 1,025 nautical miles during the five-day operation. Photo: Handout
China-Philippines relations

China sanctions Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro

Chinese foreign ministry says Teodoro is banned from entering China because of his ‘erroneous remarks’ on the country.

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Beijing accuses Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of making “erroneous remarks” about China. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Mystery platform? China says it was carrying out research at Scarborough Shoal

Announcement comes after Manila lodged diplomatic protest over ‘illegal presence’ of a floating structure at the disputed atoll.

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The Philippines

Is that a Chinese antenna at Scarborough Shoal? The Philippines thinks so

Manila says aerial monitoring shows that Beijing has built a platform at the disputed reef.

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