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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.
A cargo ship is loaded with containers as it is docked at the port of Bangkok in Thailand on Thursday. Thailand is one of six countries in Southeast Asia slapped with much higher than expected tariffs by the US. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Southeast Asians expect more US engagement amid Trump’s tariff call: survey

Singapore, one of the US’ closest partners in the region, is the most worried about the impact of Trump’s second term, a new survey shows.

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China-Philippines relations

Sinophobia among Philippine officials? China’s travel advisory spurs reflection

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China economy

Opinion | Despite hurdles, China’s ambition for global leadership role is clear

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US-China relations

China-US summit hopes fade as Trump 2.0 goes hard on tariffs, Taiwan: analysts

Washington has changed its tune on Beijing, mistakenly believing that China will yield, observer says.

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US President Donald Trump’s aggressive playbook towards China includes slapping tariffs, playing the Taiwan card, and flexing muscle through Indo-Pacific allies. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asean

South China Sea: poor diplomacy and deep mistrust may spark crisis, expert warns

Region is in ‘stable tension’, analyst tells Boao Forum. ‘We already have so many actors in the region … It’s so crowded, this place’.

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Food and Drinks

Supply squeeze threatens Vietnam’s traditional fish sauce makers

Overfishing and warming seas threaten stocks of anchovies, the key ingredient of the nuoc mam fish sauce villagers in central Vietnam make.

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US-China relations

Observers warn of South China Sea, Taiwan uncertainties as US allies draw closer

Warning comes after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Philippines and Japan with pledges to boost defence cooperation.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has highlighted the need for regional cooperation to counter China. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Can Manila become Beijing’s ‘plus one’ amid South China Sea tensions?

The Philippines’ economic zones chief says Manila is being eyed as ‘the next preferred destination’ for China’s ‘plus-one’ strategy for firms dodging US tariffs.

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The Philippines

Is Duterte’s ‘capable’ daughter reshaping her image for a 2028 presidential run?

Showcasing a kinder image to overseas Filipinos, Sara Duterte-Carpio appears to be positioning herself for a future presidential bid.

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PLA’s South China Sea arm on ‘high alert’, warns Manila against stoking tensions

PLA’s Southern Theatre Command conducted ‘routine patrol’, spokesman says, as Philippines and Japan hold naval drills with treaty ally US.

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US, Philippine and Japanese navy vessels take part in a multilateral exercise “in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific” on March 28. Photo: X/ US7thFleet
China-Philippines relations

As Hegseth visits Manila, Beijing warns against meddling in South China Sea

‘Those who willingly become pawns will inevitably be discarded,’ Chen Xiaodong, foreign vice-minister, tells Boao Forum panel.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner salute on arriving at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

US Air Force nominee wants total drones approach to counter mainland China

Troy Meink tells confirmation hearing that the Pentagon needs to shorten acquisition timelines or PLA will continue to close the gap.

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The Philippines

US bolsters Philippines defence with ‘game-changer’ missiles to deter China threat

During a visit to the Philippines, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed alliance, deterring Beijing’s ‘aggression’ in the South China Sea.

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Science

China finishes deep-sea tests on upgraded Jiaolong submersible

The month-long trial shows that upgrades will allow it to complete more frequent and intensive scientific research missions, state media says.

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The Jiaolong recently finished a month-long trial. Photo: National Deep Sea Centre
The Philippines

Philippines set to host second Typhon unit, signalling Trump’s defence pledge

The second Typhon unit will allow more Philippine troops to train with the system and enhance the country’s sovereignty, analysts say.

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US and Philippine troops prepare the Typhon missile system for a drill in Northern Luzon last year. Photo: 1st Multi-Domain Task Force
The Philippines

Philippines’ nuclear advocacy faces reality check after statement recall

As Manila’s attempt to act as a middleman in nuclear disarmament falters, analysts question its ability to influence smaller nations.

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US-China relations

US military seen as stretched but South China Sea activity rose: paper

SCSPI think tank says US may adopt primary approach of drones or autonomous weapons to address ‘quantity anxiety’ in the contested waters.

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The Philippines

Opinion | In handing Duterte to ICC, Marcos stirs up Philippine hornets’ nest

Too many questions surround the abrupt U-turn on cooperation with the International Criminal Court, from sovereignty to political persecution.

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Police block protesters as they try to march towards Malacanang palace in Manila, Philippines, on March 17 to call on the government to rejoin the ICC after the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Photo: AP
US-China relations

US won’t ‘live fire’ Philippine-based Typhon missile system that angered China

US Army statement comes with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth set to visit Manila this week to ‘advance security objectives’.

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China’s military drills

China to hold joint naval drills with Thailand near South China Sea port

‘Blue Strike-2025’ exercise will be held from late March to early April near Zhanjiang on southern coast, Beijing’s defence ministry says.

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The Philippines

Philippine defence chief labels Beijing’s South China Sea claims ‘fiction and lie’

Gilberto Teodoro denounced Beijing’s South China Sea claims urging stronger defence and alliances amid rising tensions.

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A Chinese coast guard ship in the South China Sea in December 2023. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
The Philippines

Philippines eyes Subic Bay islands as South China Sea ‘sentinels’

Experts say it might be legally and logistically difficult to repurpose Grande and Chiquita Islands but political will might hold sway.

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Philippine Navy vessels docked at Subic Bay in Zambales. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
US-China relations

Don’t expect the US to scale back its Asia-Pacific military presence, analysts say

Trump may not have spelled out his South China Sea position but deployments are peaking and only likely to be maintained, according to observers.

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Science

China unveils a powerful deep-sea cable cutter that could reset the world order

Beijing now has the power to disrupt global communications after scientists revealed a device that can sever undersea cables.

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The Philippines

Hegseth’s Manila visit ahead of Balikatan signals strong US-Philippines ties

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s visit is seen as an important step in strengthening Washington’s alliances in the Asia-Pacific.

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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is expected to visit the Philippines this month, ahead of joint drills between the countries. Photo: TNS
The Philippines

Will India and South Korea join the Philippines’ ‘Squad’ to counter China?

Analysts say expanding the Squad would strengthen surveillance and response capabilities, making it harder for Beijing to operate unchallenged in contested waters.

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Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in December 2024. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia and Vietnam to seal maritime deal – will China respond?

Indonesia’s parliament is set to sign an agreement to formalise maritime boundaries with Vietnam next month.

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China-EU relations

EU defence white paper says China’s military action risks disruption for Europe

Paper warns geopolitical shifts are something ‘we have been warned about many times but is now happening faster than many had anticipated’.

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