South China Sea NewsWire
The aggregator service for balanced and insightful news
Security
China, Philippines in Scarborough Shoal naval encounter ahead of US joint drills
21 April, 2025
The Chinese navy said it expelled a Philippine warship that “illegally intruded” into the waters of a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Sunday, hours before the start of Washington and Manila’s annual joint military drills.
Security
China Plays South China Sea-Style “Salami Slicing” Tricks In The Yellow Sea; What’s Cooking In Indo-Pacific?
19 April, 2025
After aggressive posturing in the South China Sea, China is upping the ante in the Yellow Sea, following the building of a gigantic steel rig.
Security
US Ally Confronts China in Contested Waters
8 April, 2025
Chinese coast guard ships repeatedly attempted to ram Philippine vessels over the weekend, according to Manila.
Security
China holds military drills at newly expanded Cambodian naval base
7 April, 2025
Chinese military vessels have been rotating through Ream in the Cambodian province of Sihanoukville since a Beijing-funded upgrade kicked off in June 2022.
Diplomacy
Malaysia calls for collective Asean tariff response
7 April, 2025
Malaysia will lead efforts to coordinate a regional response in Southeast Asia towards US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the country’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
Environment
China’s deep sea space station: could South China Sea be the next Persian Gulf?
4 April, 2025
An alien, underwater world could hold the answers to China’s energy security, scientists say, as they work to unlock its mysteries
Security
US approves $5.58 billion fighter jet sale to Philippines
3 April, 2025
The US State Department has allowed the possible sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines for $5.58 billion to help “improve the security of a strategic partner” in the region.
Diplomacy
China, South Korea and Japan agree to strengthen free trade
30 March, 2025
A joint statement was released following a Seoul meeting attended by South Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun, his Japanese counterpart Yoji Muto, and China’s Wang Wentao.
Diplomacy
Closer ties among US allies may bring turmoil to South China Sea, Taiwan Strait: analysts
30 March, 2025
Warning comes after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Philippines and Japan with pledges to boost defence cooperation.
Diplomacy
Philippine defense chief calls China’s claims in the South China Sea ‘the biggest fiction and lie’
24 March, 2025
The Philippine defense chief on Monday called China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea as “the biggest fiction and lie” that no Southeast Asian country would accept and said that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s aggressive policies have undermined the international goodwill fostered by his predecessors.
Security
Don’t expect the US to scale back its Asia-Pacific military presence, analysts say
22 March, 2025
The US looks set to maintain rather than reduce its military presence in the Asia-Pacific under Donald Trump, given the persistent tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea, according to analysts at a leading security forum in Beijing.
Diplomacy
Philippines eyes expansion of Squad group to India, South Korea
19 March, 2025
The Philippines and its allies are trying to expand the Squad grouping of nations to include India and South Korea to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines’ Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner said on March 19.
Security
China conducts air and sea drills near Taiwan in response to US and Taiwanese statements
18 March, 2025
An unusually large number of Chinese military ships, planes and drones entered airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan between Sunday and Monday, the self-governing island’s Defense Ministry said.
Security
Chinese jet fighter crashes during training mission
17 March, 2025
A Chinese fighter jet crashed during a training mission with the pilot parachuting to safety, state media said.
Diplomacy
Tough G7 statement drops ‘one China’ reference from Taiwan language
14 March, 2025
G7 foreign ministers took a tough stance on China on Friday, stepping up language on Taiwan and omitting some conciliatory references from past statements, including to “one China” policies.
Diplomacy
AI says China’s 9-dash line has no legal basis
13 March, 2025
Even artificial intelligence (AI) acknowledges that the so-called nine-dash-line claim of China in the South China Sea is “invalid,” according to an AI tool created by X (formerly Twitter).
Diplomacy
Beijing warns UK against ‘provoking tensions’ over South China Sea
12 March, 2025
China warned Britain on Tuesday against “provoking tensions” in the South China Sea after its foreign minister David Lammy called Beijing’s actions in the disputed waters “dangerous and destabilizing”.
Diplomacy
ASEAN chair pushing for South China Sea COC
10 March, 2025
Malaysia, the current ASEAN rotating chair, aims to expedite the completion of a Code of Conduct (COC) on international maritime issues by 2026. Malaysia is one of several countries involved in maritime disputes with China, which centre around the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
Philippines says acts in national interest in South China Sea
9 March, 2025
China should recognise that the Philippines is an independent and sovereign state whose actions and decisions are driven entirely by national interest and not at the direction of other countries, Manila’s foreign ministry said on Monday.
Security
Chinese navy ships round out Australian circuit with sail near base hosting US submarine
6 March, 2025
Australian Defence Force says fleet led by Type 055 destroyer Zunyi is northwest of Perth where USS Minnesota is docked.
Environment
Palawan approved 50-year ban on new mining permits
6 March, 2025
The local government in a resource-rich Philippine province has unanimously voted in favour of a 50-year ban on new mining permits, a decision its supporters said cannot be overridden by Manila.
Security
French Navy aircraft carrier visits Singapore as part of 5-month mission in region
5 March, 2025
French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle docked at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base as art of the French Navy’s Mission Clemenceau 25, a five-month deployment to this region that began in December 2024 and will end in April 2025.
Security
Philippine defense chief warns allies will fight if China restricts flights over South China Sea
5 March, 2025
The Philippine defense secretary says his country and its allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
Malaysia will play pivotal role in Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership, says Tengku Zafrul
27 February, 2025
Malaysia as the chair of Asean is strongly advocating for the accession of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the grouping, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The Investment, Trade and Industry minister said that historically, Malaysia has played a pivotal role in the inclusion of several other Asean Member States (AMS) into this regional bloc.
Security
Philippine, Japan ministers agree to further enhance defense partnership
24 February, 2025
Japan and the Philippines agreed on Feb 24 to further deepen defence ties in the face of an “increasingly severe” security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani said.
Security
China Says US Ally Expelled From Disputed Territory
21 February, 2025
China said Friday it had expelled Philippine aircraft from a contested part of the South China Sea.
Security
South China Sea: Beijing resources ministry gauges depth of new Vietnamese port on reef
19 February, 2025
Vietnam has dramatically expanded its presence on Barque Canada Reef through a three-year land-reclamation project enabling large warships to sail into the harbour, according to a study by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.
Diplomacy
China warns Philippines of ‘red line’ in the South China Sea
17 February, 2025
Maritime tensions between China and the Philippines were in the spotlight at the Munich Security Conference, with former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying calling the occupation of disputed features in the South China Sea “a red line.”
Security
Philippines Seeks to Fulfill Submarine ‘Dream’ as Part of Modernization Plan
13 February, 2025
The Philippines military is keen on acquiring more anti-ship missiles and at least two submarines as part of its ongoing modernization program, the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
Security
Vietnam Builds Islands In South China Sea Amid Tension, Challenges
7 February, 2025
Vietnam’s island reclamation activities in the South China Sea made headlines in 2024 with a record area of land created and several airstrips planned on the new islands.
Security
US, Philippine fighter jets patrol disputed South China Sea shoal
4 February, 2025
U.S. and Philippine fighter aircraft staged a joint patrol and training Tuesday over a disputed South China Sea shoal where Chinese fighter jets fired flares last year to drive away a Philippine aircraft, Philippine officials said.
Diplomacy
Philippines and New Zealand in talks for defense pact
29 January, 2025
The Philippines and New Zealand have begun negotiating an agreement that would allow them to deploy troops on each other’s soil, the two countries said yesterday, as concerns over maritime tensions with China grow.
Diplomacy
Chinese Military Confronts US Ally in South China Sea
27 January, 2025
The Philippines says it was forced to halt a scientific survey after Chinese maritime forces intercepted the mission and created “hazardous conditions.”
Security
China uses acoustic weapon on Philippines ships
26 January, 2025
The China Coast Guard (CCG) used a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) to harass Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Saturday.
Security
Rubio backs Manila, condemns Beijing’s ‘dangerous’ actions in South China Sea
23 January, 2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Manila and condemned Beijing for its “dangerous and destabilising” actions in the South China Sea, in his first phone call with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Science
New Species of Giant Isopod Discovered in South China Sea
22 January, 2025
The new isopod species has been named Bathynomus vaderi after the most famous Sith Lord in the Star Wars movie series, Darth Vader, whose helmet resembles the marine animal’s head.
Security
‘It’s a win’: Philippines, China uphold South China Sea deal on resupply missions
21 January, 2025
In a rare moment of accord amid their simmering feud over the South China Sea, Beijing and Manila have agreed to maintain a provisional deal allowing the Philippines to resupply a remote outpost at the Second Thomas Shoal.
Diplomacy
Chinese Hackers Breach Philippine Government Systems, Stealing Sensitive Data
21 January, 2025
A major cybersecurity incident recently shook the Philippine government, revealing that Chinese state-sponsored hackers, reportedly linked to the infamous hacking group APT 41, successfully infiltrated critical government systems.
Diplomacy
Southeast Asia foreign ministers seek breakthrough in Myanmar conflict and South China Sea dispute
20 January, 2025
Southeast Asian foreign ministers gathered Sunday for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc’s new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Security
Philippines, U.S. Partner in Maritime Cooperative Activity in South China Sea
18 January, 2025
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Navy conducted a bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, Jan. 17-18, 2025. The U.S. Navy said that MCAs demonstrate a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Diplomacy
Japan to raise South China Sea issue with new Trump administration
15 January, 2025
Partnering with Southeast Asia is “vital for regional peace and stability,” Japan’s top diplomat says during Manila visit.
Diplomacy
Philippines threatens legal action after Chinese coast guard ship sails in disputed South China Sea
14 January, 2025
A Philippine security official says that China is pushing the country “to the wall” with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea, warning that “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits.
Diplomacy
US, Japanese, Philippine leaders discussed China’s behavior in South China Sea, White House says
13 January, 2025
U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines to advance cooperation among the three countries, the White House said.
Diplomacy
Blinken heads to Asia, Europe on last expected trip as top US diplomat
4 January, 2025
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will embark on what is expected to be his final overseas trip in office this weekend, traveling to South Korea, Japan and France.
Diplomacy
China’s ‘monster’ ship arrives at Scarborough Shoal
3 January, 2025
The world’s largest coast guard vessel, a Chinese ship known as “The Monster,” has arrived at the disputed Scarborough Shoal inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone to boost Beijing’s control over the maritime area, an American analyst said.
Diplomacy
Why would China want a blockade on Japanese islands? Recent drill raises Taiwan spectre
2 January, 2025
A fleet of Chinese navy vessels has conducted what Japanese military analysts believe was an exercise to impose a naval blockade between the main island of Okinawa and the most westerly islands of the prefecture, isolating them as part of Beijing’s plans to take control of Taiwan.
Diplomacy
Xi says China’s annexation of Taiwan can’t be stopped
1 January, 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping in a New Year’s address declared Taiwan and China to be one people and said no nation can stop China from annexing the island nation.
Security
Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Now Operating in South China Sea
30 December, 2024
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is now operating in the South China Sea, according to Pentagon imagery, while several U.S. Navy ships docked in Singapore over the Christmas period.
Security
US Navy ship spotted near Panatag amid China patrols
29 December, 2024
A United States Navy ship was sighted around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal yesterday morning while a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship was conducting patrol in the area, a maritime security expert said.
Security
China unveils new futuristic fighter jets in surprise flyby
28 December, 2024
Images of advanced aircraft cruising at low altitudes in China on Thursday have surprised analysts, who say they could mark the maiden flights of sixth-generation fighter jets, representing a major breakthrough for the country’s military.
Security
Map Shows US and Chinese Aircraft Carriers in Pacific This Week
27 December, 2024
A United States aircraft carrier reached the South China Sea this week, following a westward transit via the Philippines, while all Chinese “flattops” remained pierside. This came as China launched its first new-generation amphibious warship on Friday. The 40,000-ton Type 076 amphibious assault ship is equipped with a catapult system, similar to an aircraft carrier, enabling launch fixed-wing aircraft.
Security
China Is Occupying the West Philippine Sea
24 December, 2024
China’s increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea is part of a larger, worrying trend of its takeover of the South China Sea. China’s provocations are challenging seven decades of American dominance in this incredibly valuable oceanic region.
Security
China says Philippine plan to deploy midrange missiles would be ‘extremely irresponsible’
23 December, 2024
China said a plan by the Philippines to deploy midrange missiles would be a provocative move that stokes regional tensions. The Philippines top army official told reporters in Manila earlier on Monday that the military plans to acquire a midrange system to defend the country’s territory amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.
Security
Video Shows Chinese Warship Deployed to South China Sea
19 December, 2024
The Philippine coast guard has released a video of a Chinese warship sailing nearby, less than 60 miles off the coast of the Southeast Asian country, amid territorial tensions between Beijing and Manila.
Diplomacy
Ex-Taiwan leader says China visit to foster cross-strait peace
18 December, 2024
Former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou headed to China on Wednesday for a trip he said was aimed at building “a bridge for peace”, after Beijing last week intensified military drills around the island.
Diplomacy
China says Philippines has ‘provoked trouble’ in South China Sea with US backing
17 December, 2024
China accused the Philippines on Friday of having “provoked trouble” in the South China Sea with U.S. backing, which Manila denied, as tensions between the two neighbours continue.
Diplomacy
Malaysia, Thailand call for peaceful resolution in South China Sea disputes
16 December, 2024
Malaysia and Thailand have reiterated their common position on issues concerning the South China Sea, urging all parties to respect the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Security
India, Philippines agree to deepen maritime security cooperation
13 December, 2024
India and the Philippines on Friday vowed to work jointly towards ensuring a rules-based order in critical sea lanes against the backdrop of China.
Security
Taiwan detects 16 Chinese warships around island
12 December, 2024
Taiwan said Thursday (December 12, 2024) that it detected 16 Chinese warships in waters around the island, one of the highest numbers this year, as Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taipei.
Diplomacy
Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves South China Sea, Russian Surface Action Group Visits China
11 December, 2024
Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is now operating in the Philippine Sea after leaving the South China Sea on Monday, USNI News has learned.
Diplomacy
Philippines to continue resupply missions in S.China Sea, won’t escalate situation
10 December, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Tuesday that the country will not send its navy to support Filipino fishers in a contested shoal in the South China Sea despite a recent incident with Chinese vessels.
Diplomacy
Waves continue in South China Sea as China warns against ‘provocative actions’
9 December, 2024
With tensions in the South China Sea showing no signs of abating, countries with claims in the disputed waterway are seeking whatever means they can to stay ahead of the competition, including conducting joint exercises and forming deeper alliances.
Security
Philippines warns of sending warship to South China Sea
8 December, 2024
The Philippines has warned that it may deploy a warship to the disputed South China Sea, following accusations that Chinese naval vessels have been involved in “harassment” of Philippine vessels, an official said Sunday.
Security
U.S., Japan, Philippine forces jointly patrol in South China Sea after hostilities involving China
6 December, 2024
The United States deployed a reconnaissance aircraft while Japan and the Philippines sent navy ships in a joint patrol in the disputed South China Sea on Friday, two days after the allied forces condemned actions by Chinese coast guard vessels against Philippine patrol ships.
Diplomacy
Philippines files diplomatic protest against China over South China Sea incident
5 December, 2024
The Philippines’ foreign ministry said on Thursday it has filed a diplomatic protest against China over a Dec. 4 maritime incident in the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
Philippines, China trade accusations on new South China Sea confrontation
4 December, 2024
China and the Philippines gave conflicting versions on Wednesday of a maritime confrontation around a contested shoal in the South China Sea, the latest row in a longstanding dispute between the neighbours.
Security
Chinese Warships, Cutters Harass Philippine Patrol Near Scarborough Shoal, Say Officials
3 December, 2024
People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and China Coast Guard cutters fired water canons and rammed a Philippine maritime patrol near Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday in the latest spat between the two countries in the South China Sea.
Security
Philippine navy shadows Russian submarine in the South China Sea
3 December, 2024
The Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine, which passed through the South China Sea off the country’s western coast last week, a security official said Monday.
Security
Help from Asean nations to counter China is unlikely: ex-Philippine Navy officer
3 December, 2024
Manila should strengthen coordination with Southeast Asian nations on its policy towards China, a retired Philippine naval officer said on Monday, as engagement with Washington alone risks potential stronger resistance by Beijing over the contested South China Sea.
Security
Russian Attack Submarine Intercepted in South China Sea
2 December, 2024
The Philippines said that the “intrusion” into its economic waters in the South China Sea by a Russian submarine, which is armed with missiles, was “very worrisome.”
Security
Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln Now in the South China Sea, Russian Surface Action Group Also Underway
29 November, 2024
Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departed the Port Klang Cruise Terminal in Malaysia on Wednesday, according to the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Security
Over 80 Chinese vessels spotted off Pag-asa Island
27 November, 2024
At least 83 Chinese militia and fishing vessels were monitored in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Wednesday, an expert monitoring the presence of Chinese ships in the area said.
Security
Map Shows US Navy Carrier Strike Group Arriving in South China Sea
25 November, 2024
A United States naval strike group, led by an aircraft carrier and three destroyers, made port calls in three countries bordering the contested region of the South China Sea last week, as shown in a new Newsweek map.
Security
The Philippine vice president publicly threatens to have the president assassinated
24 November, 2024
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said Saturday she has contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker if she herself is killed, in a brazen public threat that she warned was not a joke.
Security
US gives Philippines ‘force multiplier’ drones to counter Beijing in South China Sea
23 November, 2024
Washington’s provision of advanced boat drones to Manila will act as “a force multiplier” for the Philippine Navy, analysts say, allowing the US to enhance its ally’s surveillance and operational capabilities in the South China Sea while avoiding direct provocations that could escalate Beijing’s territorial challenges.
Security
Philippines uses the media spotlight to fight back against China
20 November, 2024
Best to control the narrative. That is why in an age of information warfare, lawfare and gray-zone conflict, ensuring that your version of the truth prevails in the media is critical to claiming legitimacy and support, both domestic and international.
Diplomacy
At Philippines’ South China Sea forum, deep divisions surface in clash of narratives
19 November, 2024
A recent landmark dialogue on the South China Sea has underscored the lingering ideological divisions over the disputed waterway, with officials from Manila condemning Beijing’s provocative tactics and Chinese academics defending them on sovereignty grounds.
Diplomacy
Philippines, United States sign military intelligence-sharing deal
18 November, 2024
The Philippines and the United States signed on Monday a military intelligence-sharing deal in a further deepening of defense ties between the two nations facing common security challenges in the region.
Security
China’s Heavyweight Coast Guard Ships Bring Muscle to Sea Disputes
17 November, 2024
As China faced off with its Pacific neighbors this year, two ships provided an intimidating presence: The world’s longest coast guard patrol ships. One hundred and twenty-three feet longer than their American equivalents, they have become floating symbols and enforcers of Beijing’s territorial ambitions.
Security
Japanese Troops Will Train With US and Australian Forces as Concerns Over China Grow
17 November, 2024
Japan will send troops for joint training with U.S. Marines and Australian forces in northern Australia, the countries’ defense ministers said Sunday, as they expressed concern about a spate of confrontations with China’s increasingly assertive military.
Security
Taiwan, democracy, development are China’s ‘red lines’, Xi tells Biden
16 November, 2024
China’s President Xi Jinping told his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden that the issues of Taiwan, democracy, human rights and rights to development are “red lines” for China and not to be challenged, the official state media Xinhua said on Sunday.
Security
Russia Stages Military Drills in Contested South China Sea
15 November, 2024
The Russian navy continued its deployment in the Indo-Pacific region as a detachment of warships trained for air defense in the South China Sea, according to a report on Thursday.
Diplomacy
Indonesian president says he will safeguard sovereignty in South China Sea
14 November, 2024
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he would “always safeguard our sovereignty” when asked about the issue of the South China Sea, adding partnerships are better than conflicts and that “we respect all powers”.
Diplomacy
China holds combat drills at a disputed shoal west of the Philippines
13 November, 2024
China held sea and air combat drills Wednesday at disputed Scarborough Shoal, an uninhabited area of reefs and rocks it had seized from the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
Philippines says China is pushing it to cede claims in South China Sea
12 November, 2024
China is stepping up pressure on the Philippines to concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Manila’s Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday after meeting his Australian counterpart in Canberra.
Diplomacy
Indonesia says it has no overlapping South China Sea claims with China, despite deal
11 November, 2024
Indonesia said on Monday it does not recognise China’s claims over the South China Sea, despite signing a maritime development deal with Beijing, as some analysts warned the pact risked compromising its sovereign rights.
Diplomacy
Tensions over Beijing’s continued detention of Vietnam fishermen
10 November, 2024
China’s continued detention of Vietnamese fishermen serves as a warning to Hanoi against persisting with land reclamation activities in the South China Sea, analysts say, noting that while the arrest of fishermen is a common occurrence, Hanoi’s public appeals to Beijing for their release are a new development.
Diplomacy
Marcos signs laws charting PH maritime zones, sea lanes
8 November, 2024
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday signed the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. To be known as Republic Act (RA) No. 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act aims to declare the country’s maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Special Event
The Return of Donald Trump and its Implications for U.S.-China Relations
8 November, 2024
On November 5, Donald Trump was returned to the White House with a resounding victory over Kamala Harris. As the 45th president of the United States, Trump had brought the era of engagement in U.S.-China relations to an unceremonious close and declared China to be a revisionist power that was engaged in long term strategic competition with the United States. The era of $370 billion of tariff raises and hard-hitting technology denials, initially trained on the telecoms giant Huawei, was initiated thereafter. What will Trump have up his sleeve this time around, as the 47th president of the United States?
Diplomacy
Philippines confident in US alliance under Trump amid China tensions, envoy says
7 November, 2024
The Philippines expects U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific and support for its treaty ally amid South China Sea tensions to remain steady under Donald Trump, driven by bipartisan resolve in Washington, its ambassador to the U.S. said on Thursday.
Diplomacy
Malaysia complains to Vietnam over South China Sea reef expansion, sources say
5 November, 2024
Malaysia has sent a complaint letter to Vietnam over its alleged expansion of a South China Sea reef that both countries claim as their own, two officials told Reuters, in a rare bilateral escalation not involving China.
Security
Philippine military drills to seize an island in the South China Sea
4 November, 2024
The Philippine military opened two weeks of combat drills Monday that would include seizing an island in the disputed South China Sea and likely be frowned upon by China.
Security
China’s PLA navy perform first dual aircraft formation exercise in South China Sea
2 November, 2024
China’s aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out dual aircraft carrier formation exercises for the first time in the South China Sea, the PLA navy said, a move that sets China’s navy up for more diverse and complex missions.
Diplomacy
China warns of deep-sea spying devices, underwater ‘lighthouses’ that guide foreign submarines
29 October, 2024
China’s Ministry of State Security said on Tuesday that it had retrieved spying devices both on the ocean surface and in the depths of the sea, including underwater “lighthouses” that could guide the transit of foreign submarines.
Diplomacy
Philippines confident in US security policy continuity regardless of election
28 October, 2024
The Philippines is confident in the continuity of U.S. policies in the Asia-Pacific region after the U.S. presidential election and the two countries’ ties will remain strong regardless of the outcome, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said.
Security
Taipei says Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through Taiwan Strait
25 October, 2024
A Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, Taiwan’s defense minister said, a day after Beijing held a live-fire exercise near the self-ruled island.
Security
Indonesia says its coast guard drove away Chinese ship that interrupted survey in disputed sea
24 October, 2024
Indonesian patrol ships drove a Chinese coast guard vessel away from a survey vessel in a disputed area of the South China Sea for the second time in three days, Indonesian authorities said Thursday.
Security
US, Filipino marines practice repelling an invasion from disputed South China Sea waters
23 October, 2024
U.S. and Filipino marines used live fire Tuesday to rehearse their defense against a hostile amphibious landing, less than 150 miles from the August scene of a coast guard clash between China and U.S.-ally the Philippines.
Security
Chinese Warships Put On Show of Force in South Pacific
22 October, 2024
One of the newest Chinese warships on Monday arrived in Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, as China continued to expand its strategic footprint in the region.
Security
PH, Thailand agree to combat transnational crimes
19 October, 2024
The Philippines and Thailand will strengthen defense and security ties, particularly against transnational crimes, amid human trafficking incidents within Southeast Asia.
Security
China’s new naval base in Cambodia
18 October, 2024
China has steadily been working to secure its lines of communication during any future conflict. At the same time, it has always considered South East Asia as its backyard and is loath to accepting any other power in the region.
Security
New naval base for Sarawak amid rising South China Sea tensions
17 October, 2024
The federal government of Malaysia is enhancing military protection for East Malaysia by building a new naval base in Bintulu, Sarawak, amid escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. Scheduled to be ready by 2030, the base will offer better protection for Sarawak and Sabah in the face of repeated incursions by the Chinese navy into Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Sarawakian coast.
Security
U.S. and Philippines Hold Naval Drills with Allies in the South China Sea
17 October, 2024
The Philippines and its allies, including Canada, Japan and the U.S., kicked off the maritime phase of Exercise Sama Sama 2024 in the South China Sea this week.
Security
South Korea steps up commitment to South China Sea, with limits
16 October, 2024
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s tour of Southeast Asian countries shows Seoul has stepped up the country’s role in supporting regional security, but there are limits to what it can do to help them push back against China’s growing aggression, analysts say.
Diplomacy
Petronas’ exploration in South China Sea will continue, Malaysia PM says
15 October, 2024
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday reiterated that state energy firm Petronas will continue to conduct oil and gas exploration activities in Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, despite objections from China.
Diplomacy
Philippine defence minister doubts China’s intent on South China Sea code
14 October, 2024
The Philippines doubts China’s intention to negotiate a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea although Manila is looking forward to continuing discussions, Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro said on Monday.
Diplomacy
Blinken tells ASEAN the US is worried about China’s ‘dangerous’ actions in disputed sea
11 October, 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Southeast Asian leaders Friday that the U.S. is concerned about China’s “increasingly dangerous and unlawful” activities in the disputed South China Sea during an annual summit meeting, and pledged the U.S. will continue to uphold freedom of navigation in the vital sea trade route.
Diplomacy
Philippines calls for urgency from China, ASEAN in negotiating South China Sea code
10 October, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pressed Southeast Asian leaders and China at a regional summit on Thursday to urgently speed up negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, while accusing Beijing of harassment and intimidation.
Diplomacy
Blinken to discuss Myanmar, South China Sea and Ukraine at Asia summits Laos
9 October, 2024
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will represent the United States at summits with Asian leaders in Laos this week and expects to discuss human rights in Myanmar, China’s “irresponsible” behavior in the South China Sea and Ukraine, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday.
Security
China Fires Water Cannon at US Ally Near Disputed Territory
8 October, 2024
The Chinese coast guard has fired water cannons while attempting to disrupt a Philippine government mission near a contested South China Sea feature, Manila said on Tuesday.
Security
With eye on China, Malaysia pushes for new naval base in Sarawak. How will it impact their ties?
7 October, 2024
After a dormant decade, calls for a new naval base in a sleepy town in Sarawak have gathered steam in recent weeks, with Malaysia potentially eyeing a more assertive stance against Chinese pressure in resource-rich areas near the Borneo state.
Diplomacy
Malaysia says it won’t bow to China’s demands to halt oil exploration in the South China Sea
5 October, 2024
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Thursday that Malaysia will not bow to demands by China to stop its oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea as the activities are within the country’s waters. Anwar said Malaysia would continue to explain its stance following China’s accusations in a protest note in February to the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing that Kuala Lumpur had infringed on its territory.
Diplomacy
US bans Chinese steel and food-additives firms over Xinjiang human rights
4 October, 2024
The US is banning imports from two more Chinese companies over alleged human-rights abuses involving Uygurs, it was revealed on Wednesday, the latest development in America’s drive to eliminate goods made with forced labour from its supply chain.
Security
Vietnamese fishers beaten, robbed in South China Sea – state media
2 October, 2024
Ten Vietnamese fishers were violently robbed in the disputed South China Sea, state media reported Wednesday, with an official saying the attackers came from Chinese-flagged vessels.
Each month, South China Sea NewsWire identifies and features the most crucial articles on political, economic, and other developments in the South China Sea and surrounding regions. We provide top-level summaries of articles for easy access to selected news, conferences, podcasts, videos and integrated media. We offer a reading experience that favors discovery over opinion. South China Sea NewsWire is powered by article data from the Perigon News API. Perigon’s AI-enriched technology provides structured, intelligently classified news data in real time from over 80,000 global sources.
