Australia defends US in latest South China Sea dispute
Australia backed the United States on Thursday in its so-called freedom of navigation operation close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea, a patrol China has denounced as …
South China Sea
Incoming president Duterte keeps changing his mind on US and China
Criminals and the corrupt may know where they stand with incoming Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. However, things are less clear for the US and China. While the outspoken mayor has …
Japan tests its first stealth fighter jet amid tensions with China
Japan’s first stealth fighter jet took its maiden flight on Friday. The prototype, known as the ‘X-2’, is capable of evading radar detection, an indication that Japan’s concerns about China’s regional …
China says enhanced US-Philippine military ties invoke ‘Cold War mentality’
Plans to deepen US-Philippine military ties, including joint patrols in the South China Sea, reflect a “Cold War mentality”, China’s defense ministry said, pledging to resolutely oppose any infringement on …
USA and Philippines launch joint South China Sea patrols
The US said on Thursday that it had launched joint South China Sea naval patrols with the Philippines, escalating its presence as it accused Beijing of “militarising” a region which …
US announces ramped-up military presence in the Philippines
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday that US troops and military equipment would be sent on regular rotations in the Philippines and that the two countries had started …
Philippines gets US military aid boost amid South China Sea dispute
The US has allocated more than $120 million in military aid to the Philippines this year, the most in about 15 years, a senior Philippine diplomat said on Friday, amid …
China switches on new lighthouse on occupied island in South China Sea
China has begun operating a lighthouse on one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea near where a US warship sailed last year to challenge China’s territorial claims. …
USA and Philippines begin military exercises as maritime tension simmers
About 8,000 US and Filipino troops began military exercises on Monday against a backdrop of tension over China’s greater assertiveness in the South China Sea. Over the next two weeks, …
Japan submarine makes first call to Philippines in 15 years amid China tensions
A Japanese submarine made a port call in the Philippines, the first in 15 years, on Sunday in a show of growing military cooperation amid tension triggered by China’s growing …
US plans third patrol near disputed South China Sea islands
The US Navy plans to conduct another passage near disputed islands in the South China Sea in early April, a source familiar with the plan said on Friday, the third …
China says ‘no need to gesticulate’ over South China Sea plans
China’s Defence Ministry denounced as “gesticulation” on Thursday speculation it would declare an air defence zone over the disputed South China Sea, after the United States said it had told …
US says it will not recognise Beijing’s South China Sea exclusion zone
The United States has told China it will not recognise an exclusion zone in the South China Sea and would view such a move as “destabilising,” US Deputy Secretary of …
Chinese poachers caught by Taiwan coastguard in South China Sea
A Chinese fishing boat was caught illegally harvesting coral and endangered turtles in waters around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the north of the contested South China Sea, Taipei’s Coast …
China destroys 35 tons of Philippine bananas amid South China Sea tensions
Customs authorities at the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen destroyed 34.78 tons of “substandard bananas” imported from the Philippines due to excessive pesticide use, state TV said on Saturday. The bananas, …
China Says US-Philippines military base deal raises questions
China has said that agreements like the one reached last week by the US and the Philippines allowing for a military presence at five Philippine bases raised questions about militarisation …
US agrees to ‘rotational presence’ at five military bases in the Philippines
The United States and the Philippines have announced a deal allowing for a US military presence at five bases under a security agreement inked amid rising tensions over the South China …
US invites Rodrigo Duterte to talks on China and ‘West Philippine Sea’
The US Embassy in Manila has invited Presidential hopeful Rodrigo Duterte to discuss the ongoing issues with China and the territorial dispute involving the South China Sea, or the West …
China expresses alarm at Philippine-Japan aircraft deal
China expressed alarm on Thursday about an agreement in which the Philippines will lease five aircraft from Japan to help patrol the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Benigno Aquino …
Warships arrive in South China Sea, including US aircraft carrier
The United States Navy has dispatched the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier and several warships into the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea, this week. The …
Japan to provide the Philippines with defence equipment
Japan and the Philippines signed an agreement that would soon allow Tokyo to supply Manila with war-fighting equipment. The deal is the first of its kind between Japan, Asia’s second-largest …
China deploys missiles on Paracel Islands, Taiwan claims
China has deployed surface-to-air missiles on an island in the Paracel chain in the South China Sea, the Taiwan government has claimed. A statement released by the Taiwanese Defence Ministry …
US deploys P-8 Poseidon spy plane in Singapore amid South China Sea tensions
The United States has deployed a P-8 Poseidon spy plane in Singapore for the first time, amid heightened tensions in the region over China’s expansive territorial claims in the South …
US will give $259 million to allies with claims on the South China Sea
The United States announced this week, just before the start of the APEC Summit in Manila, that they would provide $259 million to its Southeastern Asian Allies for their maritime …
China completes airstrip at Fiery Cross Reef in disputed South China Sea
China has competed its first airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed South China Sea, which may be a base for military air patrols soon over the West Philippine …
Crew of US surveillance ship rescue 11 Filipino fishermen
The crew of US surveillance ship, the USNS Impeccable have rescued 11 Filipino fishermen from a sinking boat in the South China Sea. Navy officials said the Impeccable was en route to Subic …