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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

China gets closer to Jupiter mission by bringing Nasa’s StarNAV concept to life

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Jupiter can be up to 900 million km from Earth, with radio signals taking more than 50 minutes to travel one way. Photo: Nasa/STSCI

Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study

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China has more bridges than any other country, including most of the world’s largest, longest and highest suspension structures. Photo: Xinhua

China tests first practical submarine solar farm at 10-metre depth in open sea

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Submerged array is able to charge batteries and power a LED panel, proving that solar energy can be harvested even in the dim, blue-green twilight of the ocean. Photo: Handout

Rare earth exposure can triple low birthweight risk: Chinese study

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A medical staff member cares for a newborn at the neonatology department of Lianyungang People’s Hospital in East China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Low pay, job insecurity for China’s trainee doctors a turn-off for young talent

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Trainee doctors must complete three years of residency training in a hospital. Photo: Getty Images
MORE China Science NEWS
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

Opinion | Success of Trump-Xi summit lies in what happens afterwards

The real value of the Washington meeting between the presidents of the US and China is whether its understandings survive the next bilateral dispute.

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Pacific nations

Why China is weighing into the debate on how to respond to shrinking coastlines

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Science

China tests first practical submarine solar farm at 10-metre depth in open sea

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China-Philippines relations

Collision near Sabina Shoal sparks fresh escalation between China, Philippines

Two sides blame each other for deliberate ramming near the contested atoll in the South China Sea, fuelling tensions over strategic waterway.

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Friday’s encounter marks one of the most serious escalations between the rival claimants in recent months. Photo: Weibo
Indonesia

Pride or practicality? Indonesia welcomes first aircraft carrier

Jakarta has approved US$450 million for the aircraft carrier programme but some lawmakers warn the final bill could be higher.

The Philippines

Filipino fishers count the cost of South China Sea dispute

Blocked from accessing Scarborough Shoal and hit by local dredging, Zambales fishermen say their weekly incomes have collapsed.

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Taiwan

Taipei donates coastguard vessel to Manila amid South China Sea tensions

As it faces off against Beijing in the region, Manila has been expanding its unofficial security cooperation with Taipei.

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The Taiwanese coastguard’s Kinmen patrol vessel has reportedly been transferred to the Philippines. Photo: cga.gov.tw
The Philippines

Philippines’ Teodoro draws 2028 election buzz after China clash

His viral moment in Seoul has raised his profile among supporters, but analysts say weak polling and past losses remain hurdles.

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China-Asean relations

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: why Japan’s Natuna port plan raises alarm in China

Tokyo offers port upgrades to boost maritime security, but analysts say Jakarta is being pragmatic, not taking sides against Beijing.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Chinese defence chief skirts flashpoints at Xiangshan Forum ahead of Xi-Trump summit

Dong Jun makes rare public offer of foreign military aid at major security conference and skips mentions of Taiwan and South China Sea.

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun arrives for the opening ceremony of the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Chinese research ship completes month-long mission near Scarborough Shoal

The vessel surveyed the geology and environment of a South China Sea feature claimed by Beijing and Manila.

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The Haiyang Dizhi Shihao spent a month surveying the waters near Scarborough Shoal. Photo: CCTV
China-Philippines relations

Should Beijing use its maritime militia as backup force in South China Sea?

On the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum, a leading Chinese researcher says there could be a role for the vessels at critical moments.

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China’s military

Fragility and cooperation: takeaways from Dong Jun’s Xiangshan Forum speech

The Chinese defence minister officially opens the security conference with a warning about ‘zero-sum’ mindsets.

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Thailand

US throws weight behind Thai submarine cable that skips South China Sea

The 18,507km long cable connecting Thailand with America would be built to US engineering standards.

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The US, facing competition from China, has made a concerted effort in recent years to expand its role in building subsea cables. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Philippines holding historic election in Muslim autonomous region

Under a 2014 peace deal brokered by Malaysia, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front gave up its goal of a separate state in exchange for autonomy.

Army personnel aboard armoured vehicles patrol past the Grand Mosque in Marawi, Lanao del sur province on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

Does Beijing need AI talent in ‘public opinion war’ over South China Sea?

Think tanks, seen as a vital soft power tool by Beijing, have been urged to recruit more tech expertise to help sway international opinion.

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China's military weapons

Fresh photos offer clearest view yet of China’s ‘WZ-X’ spy drone

Analysts say the stealthy aircraft appears to be designed for reconnaissance deep inside contested airspace.

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The Philippines

Why Marcos’ Brics trip is ‘low-risk’ chance for Philippines to make new friends

The president, attending in his capacity as Asean chair, should not miss the opportunity to diversify ties beyond the US, analysts say.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) delivers a speech as US Trade and Development Agency Deputy Director Thomas Hardy looks on during the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum in Taguig City on Thursday. Photo: EPA
SCMP Highlights

Manila exposes South China Sea note; Chinese coal mine farming: 7 highlights

From Chinese leader Xi’s diplomatic visits to a female powerlifter calling out sexism, here are top stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Mainland China

South China Sea: Manila says flares fired at aircraft near Subi, Mischief reefs

Philippine coastguard releases footage, accuses PLA of targeting the unarmed plane as it flew over Spratly Islands on Monday.

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China-Philippines relations

Video | Beijing accuses Philippine defence chief of ‘grandstanding’

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro read out a handwritten memo reportedly from the Chinese embassy at the Seoul Defence Dialogue on Tuesday.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro read out a handwritten memo reportedly from the Chinese embassy at the Seoul Defence Dialogue on Tuesday
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The Philippines

Is the Philippine military ‘massively underfunded’?

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr has warned there could be no military recruits next year due to budget cuts.

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Philippine soldiers load ammunition into an Israeli-made howitzer during a live-fire exercise in Capas town, Tarlac province, in 2024. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

Japan’s China-facing military push tests labour, budget and political limits

Amid ambitious transformation driven by risk it could be drawn into a Taiwan conflict, Tokyo tackles tough obstacles at home, analysts say.

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China-Philippines relations

Beijing tells Manila to ‘stop lying’ after minister exposes South China Sea note

At Seoul Defence Dialogue, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr brands China’s handwritten memo on arbitration ruling as ‘coercion and bullying’.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam visits Russia and France amid South China Sea tensions

Visiting Moscow and Paris in succession allows To Lam to rally support for Hanoi’s maritime stance without taking sides, analysts say.

To Lam, Vietnam’s president and general secretary of its Communist Party, waves to members of a welcoming delegation in Moscow on Monday. Photo: Reuters
US military

How Asian shipyards in Japan, Korea, Philippines keep US warships battle ready

Legal flexibility and regional partnerships allow US Seventh Fleet vessels to undergo complex overhauls closer to potential conflict zones.

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The USS Kitty Hawk backs into pier in Yokosuka, Japan. The ship repair capacity of regional allies in the western Pacific is essential to US naval capabilities. Photo: US Navy
China-Philippines relations

Chinese armed trainer jets drive away Philippine aircraft over Scarborough Shoal

At least three JL-10s carrying PL-5 missiles were involved in incident at disputed atoll in what could be a more cost-effective tactic.

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China-Japan relations

How Japan aims to convert ageing warships into leverage to counter China

Tokyo plans to send retired destroyers to Manila and Jakarta, but it may not demand alignment against China as part of deal.

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