South China Sea NewsWire Archive
Monthly Archive of Previous News Articles
Security
Around 50 Chinese ships, fishing boats monitored in West PH Sea
27 February, 2024
Around 50 Chinese ships and fishing vessels were monitored in the West Philippine Sea, a Philippine Navy official said on Tuesday. Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said these were monitored as of Monday.
Security
Chinese floating barrier at South China Sea flashpoint was ‘necessary’, Beijing says
27 February, 2024
China on Monday said it was “necessary” to set up a floating barrier at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, where it has had frequent flare-ups with Philippine forces.
Security
PH accuses China of attempting to block another vessel
25 February, 2024
The Philippines on Sunday accused the Chinese coast guard of attempting to block a Filipino government vessel delivering supplies to fishermen, the second such alleged incident near a disputed reef in two weeks.
Security
China’s coastguard claims it drove off Philippine ship from disputed Scarborough Shoal
22 February, 2024
The Chinese coastguard said it drove off a Philippine vessel that had “illegally intruded” into waters near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea – a claim disputed by the Philippines.
Diplomacy
Manila could file case against Beijing over possible cyanide use by Chinese boats
22 February, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has pledged to take legal action against Beijing once it is proven that Chinese boats had used cyanide to “intentionally destroy” the fish-rich Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.
Security
PLA sends forces to monitor US-Philippines air patrols over disputed waters
21 February, 2024
The People’s Liberation Army said it sent forces to the South China Sea to monitor the latest US-Philippines joint air patrol on Monday as the two allies launched their second drill in the disputed waters this month.
Security
US Flies Nuclear-Capable Bomber Amid Tensions With China
20 February, 2024
The United States deployed a nuclear-capable strategic bomber on Monday to join the allied Philippine Air Force on a South China Sea patrol against the backdrop of Manila’s territorial tit-for-tat with Beijing.
Security
South China Sea: PLA sends forces to monitor US-Philippines air patrols over disputed waters
20 February, 2024
Beijing accuses Manila of ‘roping in non-regional countries’ to stir trouble in the region as allies hold second drill this month. Tensions over the waterway are heated as the Philippines mulls permanent facility on contested reef and accuses Chinese fishermen of harming ecosystem.
Security
China coast guard boarded Taiwanese boat near frontline islands, Taiwan says
19 February, 2024
Chinese coast guard personnel briefly boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat near Taiwan-controlled islands next to China’s coast on Monday, the government in Taipei said, in an escalation of tensions after China said it would carry out regular patrols.
Environment
China Accused of Poisoning Waters With Cyanide Fishing
19 February, 2024
The Philippines is accusing Chinese fishermen of poisoning the ecosystem of the bountiful but contested, fishing areas in the South China Sea. “These Chinese fishermen use cyanide,” Nazario Briguera, a spokesperson for the Southeast Asian country’s fisheries bureau, said on Saturday, according to local media.
Economics
Philippines Preparing for Possible Economic Fallout With China Amid Sea Row
16 February, 2024
The Philippines is seeking new avenues for trade in a bid to build economic resilience amid the possibility that escalating maritime tensions with its top trading partner China may lead to sanctions, according to the government’s top diplomat.
Diplomacy
Philippines committed to South China Sea code of conduct
15 February, 2024
The Philippines is firmly committed to negotiations for a code of conduct between China and Southeast Asian countries to avert confrontations in the South China Sea, its foreign minister said on Thursday.
Security
US to deploy 5 aircraft carriers in western Pacific in show of strength to China
14 February, 2024
The unprecedented increase in naval power to the region is intended as a signal to Washington’s allies and rivals, especially Beijing, analysts said. Washington wants to reassure its partners that it remains committed to Indo-Pacific, despite conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Diplomacy
Philippines to maintain ‘assertive transparency’ over South China Sea row against Beijing’s ‘bullying behaviour’
14 February, 2024
Manila’s ‘assertive transparency strategy’ has swayed regional views against China’s ‘blatant disregard for international law’, an official says. His comment comes after bilateral talks aimed at reducing tensions and improving communications over the maritime row were held in Shanghai.
Security
Japan to help improve maritime capabilities of 4 ASEAN states amid South China Sea row
13 February, 2024
Japan is drawing up a 10-year plan to provide sustained and evolving assistance to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The initiative is likely to attract some criticism from Chinese analysts and the media, an observer says.
Diplomacy
Indonesia’s presidential election emerges as key battleground in US-China rivalry
13 February, 2024
When Indonesians cast their votes on Wednesday for a new president in one of the world’s biggest elections, the stakes will also be high for the United States and China and their mounting rivalry in the region.
Security
Ships from US, Australia and Japan conduct joint drills in South China Sea in defiance of Beijing
08 February, 2024
Warships from the United States, Australia, and Japan have held joint drills in the South China Sea in defiance of Beijing, which claims sovereignty over virtually the entire strategic waterway.
Security
Filipino bishops urge Manila to ‘defend what is ours’ amid Beijing’s ‘aggression’
6 February, 2024
In a rare move, six Filipino bishops are urging the government to partner with allies to ‘defend what is ours’ in the South China Sea amid Beijing’s ‘aggression’. While they stood with the Philippines’ fishing folk, the Catholic leaders stressed that armed conflict over the hotly-contested sea was not a ‘moral option’.
Security
Footage of China’s Fujian aircraft carrier offers another look at advanced catapult
5 February, 2024
State broadcaster CCTV shows the ship’s electromagnetic catapult launch system from the side of the vessel. The ship is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier.
Security
China launches 20 satellites on separate inland and sea rocket launches
4 February, 2024
A pair of Chinese rockets launched 11 mobility services satellites for an automaker and nine further, diverse satellites into orbit late Friday.
Security
China says Philippine vessel “illegally” landed on disputed atoll
4 February, 2024
China said on Saturday a small civilian vessel from the Philippines had “illegally placed itself on the beach” of an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim.
Security
Philippines plans to buy submarines to defend sovereignty in South China Sea
1 February, 2024
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has approved the third phase of the military’s modernisation, which includes the purchase of the country’s first submarine, in order to defend its maritime sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.
Security
Philippines Plans $35 Billion Defense Upgrade in Sea Claims Push
1 February, 2024
The Philippines plans to spend up to 2 trillion pesos ($35 billion) over the next decade to upgrade its military capabilities as the country boosts its campaign to safeguard its claims in the South China Sea.
