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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

Claims China’s BeiDou satellite was refuelled in orbit could change space race

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For China’s BeiDou constellation, in-orbit refuelling would mean a more resilient, continuously available navigation service. Photo: Handout

Offshore wind farm could create radar blind spots, ‘ghost’ targets: China study

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A container ship arrives at Qingdao port in east China’s Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua

China’s handheld submarine detector tracked a subway train underground

Photograph of the miniaturised magnetometer system. Photo: handout

Chinese drug loberamisal extends stroke treatment window from 6 hours to 2 days

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Nearly 12 million new cases of stroke occur worldwide each year, roughly equivalent to one every three seconds or less. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Russia space camp in Malaysia opens to youth in Southeast Asia

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Week-long programme in Penang’s rainforest eco-park in late 2027 or later aims to bring together youth from across the region to inspire future spacefarers, scientists and global citizens. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE China Science NEWS
China Coast Guard personnel watch a Philippine ship near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing and Manila have competing maritime claims over the atoll and surrounding waters. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Southeast Asia feels relief and caution after the Xi-Trump summit

Countries in the region could feel less pressure as the thaw in US-China ties continues but deeper disputes remain unresolved, analysts say.

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China-Latin America relations

Paraguay’s president urges UN to let Taiwan in, calls island’s exclusion ‘a stain’

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The Philippines

Why younger Filipinos are warming to China despite maritime tensions

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The Philippines

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (left) and son Prince Abdul Mateen arrive for the Asean Summit welcome ceremony in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Opinion | Xi and Trump face their greatest challenge yet: building US-China trust

AI is the test case. A foundational agreement will prove trust is possible – otherwise, mistrust will harden and the detente will dissolve.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Success of Xi-Trump 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

Rising sea levels are not an existential threat to China, but their impact on international law could have a knock-on effect in other areas.

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A sea-level rise and erosion barrier in Kiribati. Territory loss for low-lying nations from rising sea levels could raise fundamental questions over both statehood and maritime boundaries. Photo: Getty Images
Science

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

Scientists successfully charge batteries and power a LED using lead halide perovskite solar cells in world-first test.

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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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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.

Former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi docks at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta on Friday. Photo: AFP
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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Filipino fishing boats are seen moored at a port in Masinloc town, Zambales province, in 2022. Photo: AFP
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 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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An Indonesian coastguard ship sails next to a Vietnamese fishing vessel near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands in July 2020. Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian fishing boats have occasionally clashed over marine resources in the area. Photo: AFP
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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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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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun delivers remarks on the second day of the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
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 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.

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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Maritime power alone will not offset losing the narrative battle, forum in Shenzhen hears. Photo: Xinhua
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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New photos of a massive Chinese drone show its serrated trailing edge, a sawtooth-like pattern along the rear of the wing, according to analysts. Photo: X/ RupprechtDeino
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.

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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Part of a video clip released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday which it said was filmed by one of its aircraft. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
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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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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