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.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
LATEST China Science NEWS

Chinese EV industry’s lithium demand fuels research into ‘low-quality’ sources

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Researchers in China have written a paper examining the effectiveness of innovations in extracting lithium from challenging sources, including salt lakes. Photo: Shutterstock

China-born biologist Wang Cunyu returns from decades in US to head institute

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Wang Cunyu, a member of the US National Academy of Medicine, left China for the US in 1990. He has returned to develop Peking University’s Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine. Photo: Handout

Chinese village’s sinkhole nightmare continues with kitchen floor collapse

The gaping sinkhole that appeared in the middle of Hu Yuzhen’s kitchen floor in a village in Guizou province, southwest China on December 9. Photo: Weibo / 红星新闻

Chinese scientists look at desert ant to create ultra-thin light sensor chip

Photoreceptor cells in desert ants’ eyes helps them to find their way across barren deserts without landmarks. Photo: Shutterstock

Open Questions | How Chinese science and technology have influenced the West … and vice versa

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE China Science NEWS
US army’s new medium-range missile launch system, Typhon. Photo: US Army
The Philippines

‘Extremely irresponsible’: Philippine army’s Typhon purchase plan angers China

The Typhon missile system has raised tensions between Manila and Beijing after its deployment in US-Philippine military drills.

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Vietnam

‘Very striking’: China and Vietnam tighten ties in a ‘3+3’ strategic pivot

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Diplomacy

To keep calm in the South China Sea, Beijing reaches for the bilateral playbook

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China’s coastguard

Spotting of China’s new Z-20 helicopter model suggests coming coastguard role

The medium-lift helicopter is seen as China’s answer to America’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

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The Z-20 medium-lift helicopter has a longer range and higher capacity than the smaller Z-9 that is usually deployed on Chinese coastguard frigates. Photo: Weibo
Hong Kong weather

Temperatures in Hong Kong to drop to 12 degrees Celsius on Sunday

Mercury expected to fall even lower in the New Territories, Observatory says.

China-Philippines relations

Chinese coastguard expels Philippine aircraft from Scarborough Shoal airspace

China says the plane intruded into the area, which is claimed by both countries.

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China-Asean relations

Defence minister on first overseas trip since Beijing denied he was investigated

Dong Jun meets the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hanoi on visit to mark military anniversary.

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun visited Vietnam this week to attend a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: AFP
India

Quad plans joint coastguard training to counter China in Indo-Pacific: experts

Next year, the group will conduct joint coastguard training by focusing on grey-zone tactics.

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The Philippines

Philippines and India hold first maritime talks – are rows with China at play?

During their talks in Manila, Philippine and Indian officials commit to a rules-based international order and discuss maritime cooperation.

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China-Philippines relations

China permits Philippine ship to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal outpost

The move appears to be rare act of de-escalation as Beijing and Manila continue to clash over territorial disputes in South China Sea.

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A Philippine flag flutters atop the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated ship Manila stationed on a contested reef in the Spratly Islands in 1999. Photo: Reuters
United States

Opinion | Why a Trump economic boom is much less likely this time around

Trump is once again inheriting a strong US economy but the world is more volatile, and US debt and interest rates are much higher.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
The Philippines

‘China will take what it wants unless we push’: Manila-Tokyo deal to spark tensions?

The deal strengthens defence ties between the nations, but analysts warn it could entangle the Philippines in Japan’s regional security role.

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US-China relations

As China predicts more uncertainty in 2025, it urges Trump to make right choices

Foreign Minister Wang Yi vows ‘China will firmly be a force for peace’ while hoping Washington will meet Beijing halfway.

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The Philippines

South China Sea: why Philippines’ new legal case against Beijing may fall flat

Instead of filing a new arbitration case against China, analysts suggest the Philippines use alternative strategies, including a judicial review of the 2016 ruling.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel, right, fires a water cannon on a Philippine fisheing vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on March 5. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Opinion | Trump 2.0 is forcing Asian economies to make hard choices fast

The stability and prosperity of Asia depends on how regional economic powerhouses navigate complex dynamics while maintaining their autonomy.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
The Philippines

Will China capsize the Philippines’ ‘most powerful coastguard’ ambitions?

Manila plans to add dozens of ships over the next few years. But experts doubt that will unnerve the world’s largest coastguard fleet.

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US-China relations

US conducts first ballistic missile intercept in Guam amid contest with China

Spokesman says ‘it confirmed our ability to detect, track and engage a target missile in flight, increasing our readiness to defend’.

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Cambodia

China’s naval base handover in Cambodia: a sign of waning US influence?

When the Ream Naval Base’s revamp is completed, analysts say China could get preferential access and increase its regional presence.

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Cambodian soldiers at Ream Naval Base in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos Jnr rejects call to send warships to South China Sea

President says such a move in response to clash with Chinese vessels in Scarborough Shoal will be provocative and seen as an escalation.

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Vietnam

South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects may set scene for conflict with Beijing

Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.

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China-Philippines relations

China, Philippines put tensions aside to work together on gambling crackdown

The deportation of 190 individuals involved in online gambling shows bilateral cooperation is not foreclosed by the South China Sea dispute.

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China and the Philippines are cooperating to enforce a ban on offshore gaming facilities. Photo: Shutterstock
South China Sea: Analysis

Global Impact | Waves continue in South China Sea as China warns against ‘provocative actions’

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we recap the latest in the South China Sea.

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A China Coast Guard ship is seen from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra. Photo: TNS
Asean

Opinion | Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin.

Asean

Opinion | Why cybersecurity could be Malaysia’s key to effective Asean leadership

Even modest success under Malaysia’s leadership could bolster the grouping’s unity and credibility, but failure will only deepen fractures in the bloc.

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The Philippines

Will Philippines’ new navy chief adopt ‘grey zone’ tactics against China?

Manila’s Navy chief suggested adopting “grey zone” tactics – coercive actions below armed conflict – which analysts say will differ from Beijing’s.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel (left) fires a water cannon at a Philippine fishing vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on December 4. Photo: National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea/AP
China-Philippines relations

Chinese coastguard hits out again at Philippines over South China Sea clashes

Philippine agency is misleading the international community over incidents at Sabina and Scarborough shoals, China Coast Guard says.

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The Chinese and Philippine coastguards are at odds over what happened during a confrontation in the South China Sea on Wednesday. Photo: Weibo/人民日报
The Philippines

China’s ‘aggressive actions’, territorial claims raise tensions with Philippines

Experts warn of heightened tensions as Manila resists Beijing’s unilateral actions in disputed waters to its enforce territorial claims.

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Chinese coastguard blocks Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal

Four coastguard vessels from Philippines ‘came dangerously close’ to law enforcement vessels, China says.

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