97 stories found
President Trump announced an extension of the truce with Iran, opting for talks instead of military action, though Iran has expressed hesitation to engage in negotiations. This decision comes amidst reports of potential US military readiness issues and varying impacts on global oil prices.
The United States seized an Iranian cargo ship, which Iran claims violates a ceasefire agreement and has led to Tehran refusing new negotiations with Washington. The incident has heightened tensions and put a fragile ceasefire at risk.
Experts are warning of potential escalation as China has blocked a significant sea lane in the South China Sea, raising concerns about further blockades in the region.
China has reportedly moved to block the entrance to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, according to recent images. This action escalates tensions in the contested maritime region.
Philippine officials warned of potential sabotage and damage to marine life after cyanide was seized in a disputed South China Sea atoll, where Manila has grounded a warship to reinforce its maritime claim.
The Philippines is reportedly facing a critical decision between prioritizing energy stability and engaging in confrontation over the South China Sea. This dilemma highlights the complex geopolitical challenges in the region.
The United States, Australia, and the Philippines have conducted their second joint maritime drills this year in the South China Sea, escalating tensions and drawing criticism from China.
China plans to launch its first rocket from open waters in the South China Sea, demonstrating a more flexible, long-range maritime launch capability with the 31-meter Jielong-3 rocket.
The Philippines has inaugurated a new coast guard command in the disputed South China Sea, a move that has drawn strong warnings from China, which cautioned against relying on external forces to stir up maritime troubles.
China Daily has published a feature titled 'Guardians of the South China Sea,' likely focusing on China's role and presence in the disputed waters.
A new report indicates that Beijing is increasing construction activities in the South China Sea, with the potential aim of establishing a military base, raising concerns about regional stability.
China is continuing to build massive military bases in the South China Sea, with the Wall Street Journal reporting on the construction of another significant facility. This expansion, including the construction of its largest military base on a reef, is reigniting regional tensions and has prompted countries like New Zealand to boost their defense spending in response to the growing threat.
Officials from Manila and Beijing have resumed bilateral dialogue to discuss potential oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, with Chinese observers noting that revived talks are unlikely to lead to energy cooperation despite Manila's call, and China urging the Philippines to stabilize ties amid maritime disputes.
The International Monetary Fund is developing scenarios for countries that may require financial support due to the prolonged Middle East conflict. Spain has approved a €5 billion package including energy tax cuts, while the Philippines has confirmed sufficient crude oil supply and is considering suspending or reducing petroleum excise taxes. India has also cut excise duty on petrol and diesel, a move expected to lead to a ₹7,000 crore revenue loss in 15 days, while providing respite to oil companies and shielding consumers. Additionally, Poland's parliamentary committee has positively reviewed bills for fuel price reductions.
China has indicated its willingness to revive oil exploration talks in the South China Sea but has urged the Philippines to 'show sincerity' to facilitate discussions amidst an ongoing energy crisis.
Beijing has defended its ongoing land-reclamation activities in the contested Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, asserting that the Xisha Islands are an inherent part of China and the construction aims to improve living conditions and boost the local economy.
The Philippine military has arrested at least three Filipinos with ties to the country's armed forces on suspicion of spying for Beijing. They are accused of leaking information that led to maritime confrontations in the disputed South China Sea.
Scripting a false South China Sea drama China Daily
The Chinese Embassy says New Zealand and Australia's recent comments are unwarranted and inappropriate, following criticism of China's actions in the South China Sea.
Philippines rejects Beijing's claim to sovereignty over entire South China Sea The Straits Times
Hoi An is a coastal city on the South China Sea in Vietnam that has recently become extremely popular among tourists. Once a port city, today it is...
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s pitch for a United Nations Security Council seat this week was notable for his sidestepping of an issue at the core of Manila’s foreign policy in recent years. As he appealed to UN members in New York, Marcos framed the Philippines as a bridge connecting developing countries and middle-income economies, without making any direct reference to the South China Sea dispute. The president’s restrained speech, which avoided mentioning China despite ongoin...
China has signalled strong optimism for finalising negotiations with neighbouring Asian countries to seal a new institutional framework on contested South China Sea waterways. At China’s annual foreign policy press conference on Sunday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the negotiations as having entered a “critical phase” for talks on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (CoC) – a proposed set of rules between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at the heart of easin...
US land-based reconnaissance aircraft sorties over the South China Sea decreased by around 30 per cent month on month in February, according to a Beijing-based think tank, as the US deploys assets to…
A veteran South China Sea expert has cast doubt on the prospects of finalising a code of conduct for the contested waters this year, even as ties between rival claimants Beijing and Manila show signs of improvement. Wu Shicun, founding president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said it was “100 per cent not likely” that the document would be signed this year as the Philippines takes over the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). “I believe...
The Philippines, Japan, and the United States have held joint military drills in the South China Sea, amidst ongoing regional tensions.
Military analysts are scrutinizing China's drone flights in the South China Sea, suggesting they represent a new phase in grey-zone tactics and potential rehearsals for operations against Taiwan.
Manila paying price for simplistic approach to South China Sea China Daily
China’s maritime militia was deployed in “record-high numbers” across the disputed South China Sea in 2025, according to a US think tank report. However, the report also cited a concentration of civilian fishing fleets near less contested reefs, saying this suggested their waning strategic role for Beijing. The report was published on Monday by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) – a research programme affiliated with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a...
Philippine Coast Guard officials on a trip to a strategically important outpost in the disputed South China Sea received a 'Welcome to CHINA' roaming alert on their phones as their plane descended.
By Jam Sta Rosa A Philippine senator called for deepening defence relationships and “continuous” pushback against China’s claims in the South China Sea while visiting one of Manila’s tiny possessions in the disputed waterway on Saturday. Thitu Island, known as Pag-asa in the Philippines, is home to about 400 Filipinos, mostly fishermen and their families, […]
The US and Philippines are bolstering their defense in the South China Sea by deploying advanced missile systems. This move, aimed at deterring China's assertive actions, follows joint condemnation of Beijing's "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities." The allies are also increasing joint military drills and modernizing the Philippine armed forces, with the US planning further deployments of sophisticated weaponry.
A leaked letter from the Philippines’ foreign secretary has revealed internal divisions within the country regarding its public approach to confronting Beijing in the South China Sea.
China's next-generation "drone-carrier" amphibious assault ship, Type 076, is heading to the South China Sea for critical sea trials, coinciding with joint drills by the US, Philippines, and Japan in the same waters.
Beijing and Hanoi have reinforced their commitment to demarcation talks regarding the contested South China Sea, aiming to better manage bilateral disputes in the region.
Satellite images reportedly show significant changes in the Paracel Islands, indicating a new secret military project by Beijing in the South China Sea.
New images reportedly show China moving to block the entrance to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. This action escalates tensions in the contested maritime region.
Philippine officials have accused China of using cyanide to poison a South China Sea atoll, warning that the chemical could harm marine life and weaken the reef supporting a grounded warship.
The Philippines has accused Chinese fishermen of pouring cyanide in waters in the Spratly Islands, a flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea, raising concerns about environmental damage and escalating tensions in the region.
Chinese radar images have reportedly confirmed U.S. military fears regarding disputed waters in the South China Sea, specifically near the Spratly Islands, where a Japanese-flagged oil tanker was observed.
Chinese experts have described China's response to the Philippines' latest 'provocation' in the South China Sea, involving a flare incident, as both restrained and justified, following Manila's public statements.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced he will urge regional counterparts and China to expedite the South China Sea Code of Conduct at the upcoming May summit.
After a nearly decade-long pause, China has resumed expanding its military presence in the South China Sea by constructing its largest military base on a reef, reigniting regional tensions.
An unusual silence has fallen between Beijing and Hanoi regarding their rival claims in the fiercely contested South China Sea, despite ongoing land reclamation efforts. Observers suggest both sides are prioritizing pragmatism to keep tensions in check.
The Philippines announced plans to rename over 100 island features in the disputed South China Sea, including areas claimed by China, as a measure to reinforce its sovereignty.
Representatives from the Philippines and China have held initial exchanges in Quanzhou on bilateral issues, including maritime concerns and South China Sea energy cooperation, ahead of a foreign ministers' meeting.
China and the Philippines have resumed discussions aimed at resolving their ongoing dispute over the South China Sea.
Chinese observers suggest that a new military base being established by Beijing in the contested Paracel Islands will likely have limited strategic value, even as the South China Sea remains a focal point of regional tensions.
China Daily reports that the Philippines is being blamed for the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea.
Vietnam's sovereignty is reportedly under siege due to China's actions in the South China Sea, prompting calls for international resistance against Beijing's gambit.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has distanced itself from a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation with the China Coast Guard, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stating it will be discussed at the next South China Sea meeting with Beijing.
The Philippines has rejected Beijing's claim to sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, reiterating its stance on the disputed waters.
The Philippines has officially rejected Beijing's claim to sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, reiterating its stance on the disputed maritime territory.
Night lights on reefs reveal China's ongoing expansion and land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea, where Vietnam is also asserting its claims.
China has significantly stepped up its land reclamation activities on a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, according to satellite images. One image, reportedly taken on Monday, suggested that the surface area of Antelope Reef, once a mostly submerged feature in the Paracel Islands, had expanded substantially. The picture, published on social media by Damien Symon, a researcher with global intelligence research network The Intel Lab, also showed more than 30 vessels, believed to be dredger...
An American expert states that Trump can continue the war in Iran for at least six months, while Swedish reports indicate no signs of refugee waves from the US and Israel's war against Iran yet.
China Conducts Patrol In South China Sea, Accuses Philippines Of Disturbing Regional Peace Authored by Alex Wu via The Epoch Times, The Chinese regime’s navy conducted patrols in the South China Sea from Feb. 23 to Feb. 26, while the United States, Japan, and the Philippines were holding joint military exercises in international waters. The Chinese regime criticized the Philippines for “disturbing peace” in the region. Analysts told The Epoch Times that the standoff in the So...
The Philippines, US, and Japan have expanded their joint military exercises for the first time beyond the South China Sea, bringing them closer to Taiwan, a move Beijing views as destabilizing.
Analysts claim that a large Chinese military drone has been regularly flying over the South China Sea in recent months, emitting false transponder signals to deceive monitoring systems.
Military attaches and security analysts scrutinizing the operations say the flights represent a step-change in China's grey-zone tactics in the contested South China Sea.
Toxic chemicals originating from electronic waste, such as TV and mobile screens, have been discovered in the brains of endangered dolphins in the South China Sea.
Filipino officials were reportedly greeted with 'Welcome to CHINA' during a trip to the disputed South China Sea.
Philippine officials on a trip to the disputed South China Sea were greeted by a 'Welcome to CHINA' sign, highlighting ongoing territorial tensions.
A Philippine senator visited a disputed island in the South China Sea, publicly challenging China's territorial claims in the region.
Diplomatic dispute escalates as Beijing and Manila present competing narratives over the South China Sea.
The Chinese naval vessel CNS Sichuan has set sail for deployment in the South China Sea, a region of ongoing geopolitical tension.
Decades-long negotiations for a code of conduct in the South China Sea may conclude this year, but concerns remain that without restraint, Beijing and Manila may fail to deliver an effective agreement.
Tensions are escalating between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, with China reportedly strengthening its blockade of the Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippine military has rejected Beijing's accusation that Manila staged evidence of cyanide use by Chinese fishermen near a disputed reef in the South China Sea. Filipino officials had previously accused Chinese fishermen of using cyanide around a grounded warship.
US, Indonesia discussing proposal allowing US military overflight in Indonesian airspace, defence ministry says The Straits Times
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has stated that the Philippine side's staging of a 'cyanide stunt' lacks credibility, likely referring to an incident in the South China Sea.
China has reportedly occupied an island in the South China Sea without firing a shot, with Beijing's excavators actively working on the site, while global attention remains focused on the Persian Gulf.
The Philippine Coast Guard has unveiled its first dedicated command center in the Spratly island chain, a flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea, amidst ongoing confrontations with Chinese vessels.
China Daily reports on the nation's presence and activities in the South China Sea, framing its role as 'guardians' of the region.
After a nearly decade-long pause, China has resumed the expansion of its military presence in the South China Sea, constructing its largest military base on a reef, a move that is reigniting regional tensions. In response, New Zealand is preparing for a growing threat by investing billions in missiles, drones, and base upgrades.
China has issued a warning to the Philippines against its decision to assign new names to over 100 sea features in the South China Sea, escalating tensions over territorial claims.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr suggested that the ongoing Iran war could serve as an impetus for the Philippines and China to reach an agreement on disputed energy resources in the South China Sea.
A sub-forum on the South China Sea has urged greater restraint, dialogue, and cooperation among nations to safeguard regional peace and stability.
China has conducted a survey of marine debris in the South China Sea, estimating 93 million pieces of floating junk. The initiative highlights Beijing's advanced marine monitoring and remote sensing prowess.
China has issued a warning that the instability and chaos from the Middle East should not be allowed to spread to the South China Sea region.
Hanoi has lodged a protest with Beijing over accelerated land-reclamation and dredging operations by China at Antelope Reef in the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has accused a Chinese navy ship of directing its fire control radar towards one of its vessels in the disputed South China Sea this month, calling the move 'provocative' and slamming China's actions.
A Russian tanker carrying 7.7 lakh barrels of crude oil, originally bound for China, has changed course in the South China Sea and is now en route to India, with an expected arrival date of March 21.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says Manila has exercised sovereignty ‘consistently and without interruption’ over a shoal that Beijing has controlled access to since 2012
A new type of autonomous helicopter has been seen operating on the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, possibly improving the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capabilities in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Mainland state broadcaster CCTV on Thursday released a video explaining the operational capabilities of China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship. It showed a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the ship with folding rotors that appeared to be slightly smaller than the PLA’s...
Satellite images suggest China has begun dredging sand on Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands, a feature known as Xisha by China and Hoang Sa in Vietnam, following earlier reports of such activities.
A former Vice Foreign Minister of Thailand stated that the South China Sea should be a region of peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit for all involved nations.
Several Filipinos have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, amidst ongoing territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s decision to promote coastguard officer Jay Tarriela – despite Beijing’s calls for him to be sanctioned – is being read by analysts as a calibrated signal of how the Philippines intends to manage its maritime dispute with China. Rather than a routine personnel move, they say, the elevation of one of the government’s most outspoken maritime voices suggests Marcos is doubling down on a strategy that pairs public exposure of Beijing’s actions in the South China Se...
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting routine patrols in the South China Sea.
A large Chinese military drone has been conducting regular flights over the South China Sea, transmitting false transponder signals to appear as other aircraft, a tactic that could be a rehearsal for operations near Taiwan.
A large Chinese military drone has been conducting regular flights over the South China Sea, transmitting false transponder signals to disguise itself as other aircraft, potentially as part of a training exercise for Taiwan.
China and the Philippines may soon start joint coastguard patrols in the South China Sea after years of tensions over the disputed waters, according to a Philippine senator. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate’s foreign relations committee, met Chinese ambassador Jing Quan on Monday, and said afterwards that the two countries’ coastguards were expected to sign a memorandum of agreement by the end of March. He added that rather than “having disputes there … there will be cooperation”, such as...
Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros and Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela visited the disputed South China Sea, a move expected to draw scrutiny from Beijing and further strain territorial relations.
A nationwide mural contest backed by Philippine government agencies has been launched in Manila, the latest in a string of cultural initiatives aimed at shaping public narratives around the South China Sea dispute. Organised by a Manila-based maritime think tank and supported by state institutions including the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the competition invites artists, students and ordinary Filipinos to create large-scale works inspired by the “West Philippine Sea” – Manil...
U.S. Plans to Deploy More Missile Systems in the Philippines, Challenging China The Wall Street Journal
Manila is employing a strategy of both defiance and diplomacy in its ongoing dispute with China over the South China Sea, as political dialogue resumes after a year.