39 h. ago Philippines, France near defence pact to boost ‘operational intimacy’ in contested waters

A visiting forces military deal to be signed between the Philippines and France has put the focus on “operational intimacy”, with observers noting that Paris has a presence in the Indo-Pacific and would serve Manila’s interests well in the contested waters of the South China Sea. The term was coined by Associated Press correspondent Jim Gomez and confirmed by French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel during a freewheeling discussion on Tuesday at her residence. In a bid to balance the...

Culture

39 h. ago Beijing accuses Manila of trying to smear China's actions in the South China Sea

Beijing accuses Manila of trying to smear China's actions in the South China Sea  chinadailyasia.com

Politics

57 h. ago US Aircraft Carrier in South China Sea Could Be Heading for Iran

US Aircraft Carrier in South China Sea Could Be Heading for Iran  Newsweek

Transport

64 h. ago US Redeploying South China Sea Carrier To Middle East Amid Tensions With Iran

US Redeploying South China Sea Carrier To Middle East Amid Tensions With Iran  NDTV

Events

64 h. ago US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to Mideast after Trump threat against Iran

A US aircraft carrier has reportedly left the South China Sea after a live-fire drill and is heading to the Middle East amid anti-government protests in Iran. US cable news network NewsNation reported on Thursday that the Pentagon ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group, which includes Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, to leave their position in the South China Sea and sail towards the Middle East. According to the US Naval Institute’s carrier tracker, there...

Politics

64 h. ago US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to Mideast as Iran in turmoil

US aircraft carrier steams from South China Sea to Mideast as Iran in turmoil  South China Morning Post

Transport

67 h. ago Beijing looks for social workers to place on disputed South China Sea islands

China is recruiting social workers for disputed islands in the South China Sea. According to a notice published on Monday, the government of Sansha, the authority set up to administer the disputed territories, said it was looking for 11 “community workers” to post on eight reefs and islands in the Paracel and the Spratly islands. The territories include Woody Island, the administrative centre of the disputed territories, and Mischief Reef, which is home to a large military base. The notice was...

Politics

67 h. ago Beijing looks for social workers for posts on disputed South China Sea islands

China is recruiting social workers for disputed islands in the South China Sea. According to a notice published on Monday, the government of Sansha, the authority set up to administer the disputed territories, said it was looking for 11 “community workers” to post on eight reefs and islands in the Paracel and the Spratly islands. The territories include Woody Island, the administrative centre of the disputed territories, and Mischief Reef, which is home to a large military base. The notice was...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘Strategic patience’ key for Beijing in South China Sea and other disputes

Beijing should exercise “strategic patience” in managing its maritime disputes, with provocations to be expected from the Philippines in the South China Sea and Japan in the East China Sea, according to a leading Chinese analyst. Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), delivered his message in an article published this month in the latest issue of defence journal Modern Ship. There have been continuous tensions between Beijing and its uneasy...

Politics

4 d. ago South China Sea: claims of coercion, deception as Beijing and Manila wage new war of words

China and the Philippines have again exchanged barbs over confrontations in the disputed South China Sea, with each accusing the other of provocation and escalating tensions. The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday said a statement the day before by the National Maritime Council – a government body created by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in 2024 to address the nation’s maritime challenges – was “unfounded and misleading”. It accused Manila of “provoking trouble and...

Events

4 d. ago China dismisses Philippines' South China Sea claims as 'misleading'

China dismisses Philippines' South China Sea claims as 'misleading'  TRT World

Politics

5 d. ago China’s Antelope Reef dredge deepens South China Sea tensions

China’s Antelope Reef dredge deepens South China Sea tensions  Asia Times

Events

5 d. ago US Dares China? USS Abraham Lincoln Fires Weapons In South China Sea Amid Tensions

US Dares China? USS Abraham Lincoln Fires Weapons In South China Sea Amid Tensions  Times of India

Events

5 d. ago Japan’s top diplomat heads to Philippines with South China Sea top of mind

Japan’s top diplomat is heading to the Philippines this week for talks expected to focus on maritime tensions in the South China Sea and Tokyo’s strategic role in the region. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s stop in Manila on Thursday is part of a nine-day diplomatic tour of the Middle East and Asia that began last Saturday, with stops in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Qatar and India. His talks with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro are expected to review...

Politics

5 d. ago Japan launches world’s first mission to lift rare earth from deep sea

Japan launches world’s first mission to lift rare earth from deep sea  South China Morning Post

Events

7 d. ago China, Tanzania reaffirm longstanding friendship, pledge deeper cooperation

China, Tanzania reaffirm longstanding friendship, pledge deeper cooperation  Xinhua

Politics

8 d. ago China says it is still ‘deeply committed’ to Venezuela as ambassador meets new leader

China said on Friday it would continue to offer its firm support to Venezuela after its ambassador met the country’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez. She described her meeting with Chinese ambassador Lan Hu as “cordial” and thanked Beijing for its condemnation of the abduction of former leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. “We value China’s firm and consistent stance in strongly condemning the serious violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty,” Rodriguez...

Politics

8 d. ago China says it is ‘deeply committed’ to Venezuela as ambassador meets new leader

China says it is ‘deeply committed’ to Venezuela as ambassador meets new leader  South China Morning Post

Politics

8 d. ago Philippine navy confident it can navigate South China Sea dispute: ‘up to the challenge’

The Philippines has expressed confidence in countering China’s widening influence in contested waters as its navy presses ahead with expanding its fleet, joint activities with foreign partners and the use of unmanned systems. Analysts say these measures would boost the interoperability of the Philippine military across the sea and air, as the South China Sea dispute continues to dominate its security planning. “We are up to the challenge [posed by] the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese...

Politics

8 d. ago Venezuela says remains committed to deepening trade agreements with China

Venezuela says remains committed to deepening trade agreements with China  chinadailyasia.com

Politics