South China Sea News - Latest Updates & Headlines
US to boost Philippine military to counter China, says defence chief
Manila, April 12: US has planned to strengthen the Philippines' military capabilities and increase joint military drills, according to Manila's defense chief, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, as reported by Taipei Times.
Australia donates drones to strengthen Philippines maritime security amid South China sea tensions
Manila, April 10: Australia's contribution of 20 advanced drones to the Philippines underscored Manila's urgent requirement to improve its maritime domain awareness, following a tense incident in the South China Sea just days earlier, where Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships came close to a collision, according to a report by South China Morning Post.
Philippines slams Beijing's 'reckless and dangerous maneuvers' in South China Sea
Manila, April 7: In yet another incident of China's aggressive posturing in the region, the Philippines on Monday raised serious concerns over a Chinese vessel engaging in "reckless and dangerous" maneuvers against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel in the South China Sea.
Manila raises alarm over arrest of three Filipinos in China
Manila, April 5: The Philippines on Saturday raised alarm over the arrest of three Filipino nationals in China who have been allegedly detained for suspected espionage.
Taiwan receives first long-awaited F-16C/D Block 70 Jets from US
Taipei, March 30: Taiwan on Friday received the first of its long-awaited 66 F-16C/D Block 70 jets from the US during a delivery ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's factory in the US's Greenville, South Carolina, Taipei Times reported on Sunday.
US to strengthen military ties with Philippines to counter China's aggression in Indo-Pacific
Manila, March 29: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during his visit to Manila, said that the United States will strengthen its military partnership with the Philippines to "reinforce deterrence" against "China's aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region, as reported by CNN News.
Philippines, US, Japan hold joint military drills in disputed South China Sea
Manila, March 29: The Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
US boosts Indo-Pacific presence amid rising tensions with China
Manila, March 28: The US military is "posturing forward" in the Indo-Pacific area, including the Philippines, to reinforce deterrence amid rising regional tensions due to Beijing's assertiveness in the South China Sea (SCS), stated the Pentagon chief on Wednesday, as reported by Inquirer.net.
Philippines detains six Chinese nationals for alleged espionage activities
Manila, March 27: Philippine authorities revealed the capture of six Chinese nationals and one Filipino, who were suspected of spying on US and Philippine navy ships near the entrance of the strategically important Subic Bay, as reported by Radio Free Asia.
China develops military tech to advance its aggressive cause
Hong Kong, March 24: Not only is Chairman Xi Jinping constantly pushing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) towards devotee levels of loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party, but he is ensuring that China's military is equipped with all manner of weapons and gadgets to ensure dominance in both peacetime and wartime.
Philippine authorities arrest Chinese spies in espionage crackdown: Report
Manila, March 22: The Philippines government has made a series of high-profile arrests of Chinese spies, with many facing charges of espionage and illicit intelligence gathering in recent months. The crackdown comes amid rising concerns over China's involvement in the Philippines' sensitive military and government operations, as tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
India-Philippines BrahMos missile deal a major step in defence ties: Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo
New Delhi, March 20: Philippines Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo described the deal between India and the Philippines for shore-based, anti-ship BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles as an important step in strengthening defence ties between the two nations.
Philippines terms Chinese claims over Palawan as part of 'cognitive warfare'
Manila, March 7: Strongly refuting the recent Chinese claims over Palawan Island, the Philippines on Friday called it as part of Beijing's "cognitive warfare" and asserted that Palawan is, and always will be, a part of the archipelagic Southeast Asian country.
Philippine Air Force searching for missing fighter jet
Manila, March 4: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said a search is on for an FA-50 fighter jet that went missing shortly after midnight on Tuesday while on a tactical night operation.
Amid rising security concerns, China signals sending more warships near Australia
Canberra, Feb 28: Claiming that it is "normal" for major powers to send their naval assets worldwide, China on Friday said that Australia should expect more Chinese warships near its region.
Philippines reports 'unlawful presence' of another Chinese Coast Guard vessel
Manila, Feb 27: Revealing yet another incident of growing Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday reported the illegal presence of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone.
Threat from China looming, Japan and Philippines begin strategic dialogue
Manila, Feb 24: Japan and the Philippines on Monday agreed to establish a strategic dialogue between the defence forces of both nations taking into account the rising security threats from China in the Indo-Pacific region.
China ups military activity around Taiwan
Taipei, February 23: Taiwan's Ministry of Defence (MND) reported on Sunday that it had detected 11 sorties of Chinese aircraft, six Chinese vessels, and two official ships operating near Taiwan.
Australia says China failed to inform of live-fire drills conducted off coastline
Canberra, Feb 22: The Australian government on Saturday confronted China as it failed to give a satisfactory answer for its inadequate notice ahead of its live-fire training exercise in the waters between Australia and New Zealand.
Australian Navy 'watching every move' of Chinese ships off its east coast
Sydney, Feb 20: Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday that his country will "watch every move" of the three Chinese navy warships detected off the country's east coast.
China opposes Vietnam's actions in Spratly Islands
Beijing, February 20: China on Wednesday expressed its opposition to recent developments by Vietnam in the Spratly Islands, according to Radio Free Asia.
US chides China for 'dangerous maneuvers' towards Philippines aircraft
Manila, Feb 19: The United States on Wednesday severely criticised the "dangerous maneuvers" by a Chinese Navy helicopter towards a Philippines aircraft on Tuesday.
Philippines strengthens defence partnerships amid South China Sea tensions
Taipei, February 15: The Philippines is stepping up efforts to strengthen its defence partnerships as tensions with China persist in the South China Sea. Manila is working to finalise defence agreements with Canada and New Zealand while also looking to expand joint military drills with the United States, its main defence ally, Voice of America (VOA) reported.
Australia expresses concern over unsafe and unprofessional encounter with Chinese aircraft
Canberra, February 14: The Australian Government has raised concerns with China following an incident involving a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and a People's Liberation Army-Air Force (PLA-AF) J-16 fighter aircraft in the South China Sea on Tuesday.
Philippines offers to return US missiles if China ceases South China Sea aggression
Taipei, January 31: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has proposed returning US Typhon missiles stationed in the Philippines if China ceases its aggressive actions in the South China Sea, Taiwan News reported.
Taiwan detects hike in Chinese activity around itself
Taipei, January 29: Taiwan stated that it detected six Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Tuesday till 6 am (local time) on Wednesday.
Taiwan detects spike in Chinese incursions around its territory
Taipei, January 28: Taiwan stated that it detected six Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Monday till 6 am (local time) on Tuesday.
South China Sea: Chinese forces disrupt Philippines survey operations in disputed waters
Manila, January 27: The Philippines has halted a scientific survey in the South China Sea after its fishing boats faced aggressive actions by the Chinese coast guard and naval forces, according to Al Jazeera.
Philippines confronts China over giant Coast Guard vessel in territorial waters
Manila, January 18: Philippine diplomats confronted their Chinese counterparts in face-to-face discussions in Xiamen, China, over the recent intrusion of a massive Chinese Coast Guard vessel into Philippine territorial waters, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA).
China builds specialised barges for 'putative invasion of Taiwan': Report
Taipei, January 11: China is reportedly building a fleet of specialised barges with road bridges or piers extending from the bow designed to facilitate the unloading of tanks and other military equipment, sparking concerns for 'putative invasion of Taiwan', according to Taiwan News.
China in 2025: More trouble lies ahead
New Delhi, January 9: China continued to encounter turbulence throughout 2024. However, all the difficulties that China is facing at home and abroad have made Chairman Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) more determined to throw their weight around and irrepressibly bully those who disagree with it.
China in 2025- More trouble lies ahead
Hong Kong, January 7: China continued to encounter turbulence throughout 2024. However, all the difficulties that China is facing at home and abroad have made Chairman Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) more determined to throw their weight around and irrepressibly bully those who disagree with it. In the coming year, it appears greater tumult lies ahead for both China and those who deal with it.
Key developments in South China Sea in 2025: Rising tensions, military activities, and territorial disputes
Taipei, January 5: The South China Sea remains one of the world's most volatile geopolitical hotspots, with escalating tensions and territorial disputes involving China and its neighbouring countries.