South China Sea NewsWire Archive
Monthly Archive of Previous News Articles
Security
Chinese and Philippine vessels collide at a disputed atoll and governments trade accusations
31 August, 2024
China and the Philippines accused each other of causing a collision between their two vessels Saturday in the latest flareup of tensions over disputed waters and maritime features in the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
US, China discuss possible Biden-Xi meeting, South China Sea tensions
28 August, 2024
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met for a second day in Beijing Wednesday, holding talks that touched on topics that included a potential meeting between the two countries’ heads of state and tensions in the South China Sea.
Security
U.S. military open to escorting Philippine ships in South China Sea amid clashes with China, commander says
27 August, 2024
The U.S. military is open to the possibility of escorting Philippine ships in the disputed South China Sea, depending on consultations under the allies’ 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday amid a spike in hostilities between Beijing and Manila in the disputed waters.
Security
Malaysia Warship Sinks in Mishap in South China Sea
26 August, 2024
A Malaysian warship has sunk in the South China Sea near its southern coast after suffering “severe flooding” caused by leaks on Sunday, the country’s naval service announced
Security
China, Philippines clash in South China Sea despite efforts to rebuild trust
25 August, 2024
The Philippines and China clashed in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug 25 over what Manila said was a resupply mission for fishermen, the latest in a series of sea and air confrontations in the strategic waterway.
Security
Philippines says China fired flares at its South China Sea plane
24 August, 2024
The Philippines accused China on Saturday of recently firing flares at one of its aircraft as it patrolled over the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
Sullivan heads to Beijing to address concerns about Russia ties, South China Sea tensions
23 August, 2024
National security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Beijing next week and meet with top Chinese officials, as Washington seeks to reinforce lines of communication with its foremost adversary and worries mount about Chinese interference in the U.S. election.
Security
China says Philippine vessel ‘deliberately collided’ with Chinese vessel in the South China Sea
19 August, 2024
China’s Coast Guard said a Philippine vessel that had ignored its repeated warnings “deliberately collided” with a Chinese vessel in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner, according to statements on Monday.
Diplomacy
Vietnam president lands in China on 3-day visit, to meet Xi Jinping amid South China Sea concerns
18 August, 2024
Vietnam’s top leader To Lam arrived in China on Sunday for a three-day visit, according to Chinese state media, which Beijing’s foreign ministry has said will include meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Security
US Ally Faces China’s ‘Countermeasures’ at South China Sea Flashpoint
16 August, 2024
China on Friday reiterated that it would take “forceful measures” to back its territorial claims after reports that the Philippines might deploy another of its large coast guard ships to a hotspot in the South China Sea.
Diplomacy
Singaporean president calls for rule of law in South China Sea
15 August, 2024
Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Thursday called for the rule of law to be upheld in resolving the issues surrounding the South China Sea.
Security
U.S. Navy’s newest air-to-air missile could tilt balance in South China Sea
14 August, 2024
The U.S. Navy’s deployment of new extremely long-range air-to-air missiles in the Indo-Pacific could erase China’s advantage in aerial reach, experts say, part of an intensifying focus on projecting power amid high tensions in the region.
Enviroment
China Admits Container Ship Damaged Baltic Sea Gas Pipeline
13 August, 2024
China has admitted for the first time that Hong Kong-flagged container ship Newnew Polar Bear is responsible for the damage inflicted to a Baltic Sea gas pipeline in October.
Security
AFP chief: China fighters ‘endangered’ PAF plane
12 August, 2024
Chinese fighter jets recently made a “dangerous” move against a Philippine Air Force (PAF) plane, firing flares into its path as it was flying over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine military chief said on Saturday.
Diplomacy
Philippines slams Chinese air force actions in South China Sea
11 August, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday condemned Chinese air force actions in waters of the South China Sea claimed by both countries, calling the actions “unjustified, illegal and reckless”.
Diplomacy
Philippine military condemns China air force for ‘dangerous’ acts in South China Sea
10 August, 2024
The Philippine military strongly condemned “dangerous and provocative actions” by China’s air force, while the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it acted in a professional and legal manner.
Security
PCG to send ship to Vietnam for maritime drills before yearend
9 August, 2024
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will send a ship to visit Vietnam before the end of 2024 as Manila and Hanoi continue to enhance their maritime cooperation due to shared threats and despite overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
Security
Canada and Australia, eyeing China, signal more military cooperation
9 August, 2024
Canada and Australia, expressing alarm at China’s claims over the disputed waters of the South China Sea, on Thursday said they would increase their military and defense industry cooperation.
Security
Chinese Warships Shadow U.S. and Allies in South China Sea
8 August, 2024
Two of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Type 056 Jiangdao-class corvettes and a Type 054A Jiangkai II-class frigate were observed monitoring the international flotilla, according to USNI News. The daily news service of the U.S. Naval Institute reported that sailors were told not to take personal cellphones onto their ship’s flight deck due to the Chinese presence.
Security
South China Sea: Philippines, Vietnam join forces but Hanoi policy a stumbling block?
7 August, 2024
Hanoi and Manila are set to hold their first joint maritime drills as part of a four-day goodwill visit by the Vietnam Coast Guard, seen as the latest in a series of steps between the Southeast Asian neighbours to peacefully settle their maritime disputes amid Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Observers say, however, that in the event of any escalation of tensions with China, joint action between the Philippines and Vietnam remains unlikely as Hanoi’s defence policy prohibits it from forming alliances to oppose another nation.
Security
US, Australia, Canada, Philippines stage naval and air force maneuvers in disputed South China Sea
7 August, 2024
The United States, Australia, Canada and the Philippines held air and naval maneuvers Wednesday in a show of force that they said aimed to promote the rule of law in the disputed South China Sea, where China has increasingly asserted its territorial claims.
Security
Philippines, US navy conduct joint maritime exercise
5 August, 2024
It featured the USS Mobile (LCS 26) and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16).
The exercise included a series of events designed to enhance communication and operational coordination between the two navies.
Security
Germany, Philippines agree defense pact over South China Sea
4 August, 2024
The Philippines and Germany agreed a new defense deal Sunday as Manila seeks to bolster its diplomatic support to counter Beijing’s vast maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Security
Philippines fortifies South China Sea outpost to keep it standing for 10 more years
3 August, 2024
The Philippines has carried out substantial reinforcements on a grounded World War II-era ship in the contested South China Sea, enough to make the outpost at the centre of tensions with Beijing last at least another decade, according to four people familiar with the matter.
Security
Japan, Philippines hold first joint naval exercise
2 August, 2024
The Philippine and Japanese navies held their first joint exercise on Friday in the South China Sea, as the two US allies boost security ties in the face of China’s growing pressure.
Security
Vietnam, Philippines to hold South China Sea exercises
1 August, 2024
A Vietnamese coast guard vessel is en route to the Philippines for joint training exercises, Hanoi said, the first such exchange between the countries in dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea.
