South China Sea NewsWire Archive
Monthly Archive of Previous News Articles
Diplomacy
China urges Asian neighbours to take peace and security ‘into their own hands’
29 March, 2024
The head of China’s top legislative body has urged Asian governments and business leaders to take the fate of the region’s peace and security “into their own hands”.
Diplomacy
Philippine president warns of countermeasures in response to Chinese aggression at sea
28 March, 2024
The Philippine president said Thursday that his government would take action against what he called dangerous attacks by the Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships in the disputed South China Sea, saying “Filipinos do not yield.”
Diplomacy
Philippines summons Chinese envoy over latest ‘aggressive actions’ in South China Sea
25 March, 2024
The Philippines said Monday it summoned the Chinese envoy to express “strong protest” over “aggressive actions” by the Chinese Coast Guard against its rotation and resupply mission in South China Sea on Saturday.
Security
China coast guard says it took measures against Philippine vessels in South China Sea
23 March, 2024
China’s coast guard said it had taken control measures against Philippine vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday, while the Philippine coast guard decried the moves as “irresponsible and provocative”.
Diplomacy
Citing safety risk, Taiwan recommends president does not visit South China Sea
21 March, 2024
Taiwan’s top security official said on Thursday he does not currently recommend President Tsai Ing-wen visit the South China Sea given the possible risk to her flight from “interference by relevant countries”.
Security
Philippines Says Chinese Navy Ship Seen Circling Amid Sea Spat
20 March, 2024
At least 30 Chinese vessels, including a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship, were spotted around areas in the South China Sea that the Philippines claims as part of its territory, according to its military.
Diplomacy
Blinken in Manila as South China Sea tensions rise
19 March, 2024
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in the Philippines, a key ally of Washington, amid heightened regional tensions with China. Mr Blinken will discuss trade and will reiterate America’s “ironclad” security commitments to the country, a senior State Department official said.
Diplomacy
US, Japan, and Philippines Launch Tripartite Forum to Counter China
19 March, 2024
The United States is launching a trilateral summit body with Japan and the Philippines. Following the South Korea-US-Japan consultative body, a dominant analysis shows that pressure on China is expanding in Asia.
Diplomacy
New Zealand raises South China Sea, Taiwan tensions with China during foreign minister’s visit
18 March, 2024
New Zealand shared with China its concerns about rising tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait during a meeting on Monday between the foreign ministers of both countries.
Diplomacy
US top diplomat Blinken arrives in South Korea to attend democracy summit
17 March, 2024
As Washington attempts to strengthen relations with two significant regional allies, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in South Korea on Sunday, the first leg in a quick Asia visit that also included the Philippines.
Security
PLA Navy landing ships hold combat exercises in South China Sea
17 March, 2024
A group of landing ships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently held live-fire exercises in the South China Sea, with analysts saying on Sunday that the flexible vessels capable of carrying tanks in amphibious landing missions are important in the safeguarding of China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
Diplomacy
Philippines’ Marcos to meet Blinken next week as South China Sea tensions rise
14 March, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 19 to tackle cooperation and security matters, the office of the Manila leader said in a statement late on Wednesday night.
Diplomacy
Marcos: No country backs China ‘10-dash line’ claim
13 March, 2024
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday continued to question the premise of China’s proposals to resolve its maritime dispute with the Philippines, particularly the so-called 10-dash line that it cites as basis for claiming practically the entire South China Sea.
Diplomacy
China says Philippines ignored South China Sea proposal as tensions rise
13 March, 2024
China says the Philippines ignored proposals it put forward to “manage” their dispute in the South China Sea. An unnamed senior Chinese official told news outlet the Manila Times that the deal was “met with inaction by the Marcos administration”.
Diplomacy
Philippines’ says China’s maritime-related proposals run contrary to its interests
12 March, 2024
The Philippine foreign ministry said on Tuesday it had received several maritime-related proposals from China, but added they could not be considered because they were against the Southeast Asian country’s national interests.
Diplomacy
Germany’s Scholz calls for diplomacy, de-escalation in South China Sea
12 March, 2024
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday called on China and regional countries to resolve tensions in the disputed South China Sea peacefully.
Security
Japan Scrambles Fighter Jets Against China’s Sea Spy Plane
11 March, 2024
Tokyo scrambled fighter planes over the weekend against a Chinese military aircraft that patrolled Western Pacific waters on consecutive days, according to Japan’s Defense Ministry
Diplomacy
Can UN’s high seas treaty save South China Sea’s ecosystem, or will it lead to more bilateral tension?
11 March, 2024
The high seas are in a state of ‘lawless wilderness’ due to a lack of mutually agreed rules to curb overexploitation and pollution.
Security
Philippines strikes security deals as tensions rise with China at sea
11 March, 2024
The Philippines has been striking new defense agreements with other countries at a rapid clip, seeking to build what officials here call a “network of alliances” that could deter Chinese aggression in disputed waters.
Economics
China’s CNOOC makes 100 million ton oilfield discovery in South China Sea
7 March, 2024
Chinese state-owned oil and gas giant CNOOC Ltd has discovered a new reserve in the South China Sea containing over 100 million tons of oil equivalent proved in-place, the company said in a statement on Friday.
Diplomacy
Australia concerned about destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea
6 March, 2024
Australia is very concerned about unsafe and destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday, a day after clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed waters.
Security
China raises defense budget by 7.2% as it pushes for global heft and regional tensions continue
5 March, 2024
China on Tuesday announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget, which is already the world’s second-highest behind the United States at 1.6 trillion yuan ($222 billion), roughly mirroring last year’s rise.
Diplomacy
Philippines summons China diplomat over ‘aggressive’ actions in South China Sea
5 March, 2024
The Philippines summoned China’s deputy chief of mission in Manila on Tuesday to protest what it called “aggressive actions” by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal.
Diplomacy
Singapore’s prime minister says a South China Sea code of conduct will take time
5 March, 2024
Southeast Asian countries’ quest to reach agreement with China on a code of conduct in the contested South China Sea will take time, with difficult issues yet to be resolved despite recent efforts to accelerate the process, Singapore’s prime minister said Tuesday at a regional summit.
Security
Australia offers more funding for South China Sea pact
4 March, 2024
Australia said on Monday the Pacific and Southeast Asian countries are facing serious defence threats as it set aside more funds for a maritime security pact with ASEAN countries during a summit with the Southeast Asian bloc.
Diplomacy
Philippines urges neighbors to stand together more strongly against China in the South China Sea
4 March, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that he had no choice but to defend his country’s territory in the South China Sea against what he called Chinese aggression and illegal actions in pursuit of Beijing’s own territorial claims.
Diplomacy
China’s embassy condemns Philippine envoy’s remarks on South China Sea
3 March, 2024
China’s embassy in the Philippines on Sunday said it “strongly” condemns the Philippine ambassador to Washington’s recent China-related remarks, saying they “disregarded basic facts”.
Security
US think tank says 195 Chinese militia vessels linger daily in South China Sea
3 March, 2024
200 Chinese militia ships were present near disputed areas of the South China Sea on any given day last year, or a 35% increase, a United States think tank said.
Security
US Ally Says It Won’t Yield ‘One Square Inch’ of Territory to China
1 March, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed to protect his country’s territorial claims on Thursday, against the backdrop of Chinese expansion in the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
PHL, Japan and India trilateral alliance pushed as China rises
1 March, 2024
A TRILATERAL partnership among Asia’s most vibrant democracies and maritime states—India, the Philippines and Japan—is needed to counter China’s growing expansionism and the uncertainty that be brought by the return of ex-US President Donald Trump to the White House, academicians and foreign policy analysts said.
