2 w. ago Why has China sent research ships to Scarborough Shoal after a collision?

At least two Chinese research vessels have been operating around Scarborough Shoal at the same time as a Philippine coastguard ship has been patrolling the disputed area of the South China Sea. The Xiang Yang Hong 10, an ocean research vessel operated by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, has been operating near the reef since last Friday, according to information from the satellite-based Automatic Identification System. Another Chinese research vessel, the Zhuhai Yun, a maritime drone...

Politics

2 w. ago Philippines reports Chinese ship surge after ‘embarrassing’ collision

The Philippine government has reported a marked increased in Chinese maritime activity near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying a stand-off over the disputed South China Sea atoll. Officials in Manila have characterised the build-up as an attempt by Beijing to reassert control after two Chinese ships collided last week during a chase involving a Philippine vessel. On Sunday, the National Maritime Council cited the Philippine Navy’s latest assessment, reporting that as of Thursday, seven Chinese...

Politics

3 w. ago Beijing slams Philippine ships in first comment on South China Sea collision

Beijing on Friday issued its first direct comment on a reported collision in the South China Sea earlier this week, with its Ministry of Defence strongly condemning the Philippine coastguard for “dangerous manoeuvring”. The Philippine vessels “severely jeopardised the safety of Chinese ship personnel”, ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said, referring to the confrontation near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Monday. Several Philippine coastguard vessels and government ships had “illegally...

Politics

3 w. ago China tells US to rein in frontline forces after South China Sea ‘infringement’

China urged the United States to restrain frontline forces on Friday after a US destroyer entered disputed waters in the South China Sea. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Jiang Bin said China had expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” and had lodged stern representations with the United States over the matter. “We urge the US to effectively restrain its frontline forces and immediately cease its related acts of infringement and provocation against China,” Jiang said. “The...

Politics

3 w. ago PLA jet accused of ‘dangerous’ moves near South China Sea’s Scarborough Shoal

A Chinese fighter jet allegedly flew close to a Philippine coastguard aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday morning, while US and PLA naval vessels operated close by amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine state-run broadcaster People’s Television Network (PTV), a Cessna Caravan operated by the coastguard was performing a “maritime domain awareness flight” when the alleged incident occurred, involving what appeared to be an Su-30. On-board...

Politics

3 w. ago US briefly deploys warships after Chinese military ships’ collision

US briefly deploys warships after Chinese military ships’ collision  Navy Times

Events

3 w. ago China, US trade barbs over destroyer passage near Scarborough Shoal

China, US trade barbs over destroyer passage near Scarborough Shoal  Reuters

Politics

3 w. ago Chinese families in ‘broken houses’; PLA’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese military ‘warns off’ US destroyer from vicinity of Scarborough Shoal A US destroyer has entered disputed waters in the South China Sea, less than two days after an apparent collision involving a Chinese coastguard vessel and a PLA Navy ship while the former was pursuing a Philippine coastguard vessel in the area. 2. China boosts hybrid crop...

Events

3 w. ago Chinese military ‘warns off’ US destroyer from vicinity of Scarborough Shoal

A US destroyer has entered disputed waters in the South China Sea, less than two days after an apparent collision involving a Chinese coastguard vessel and a PLA Navy ship while the former was pursuing a Philippine coastguard vessel in the area. The People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command said on Wednesday that the USS Higgins destroyer, type DDG-76, had “illegally entered China’s territorial waters around Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government”. The PLA...

Events

3 w. ago China says it 'drove away' U.S. destroyer near the disputed Scarborough Shoal

China says it 'drove away' U.S. destroyer near the disputed Scarborough Shoal  CNBC

Politics

3 w. ago China says it 'drove away' U.S. warship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal

China says it 'drove away' U.S. warship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal  CNBC

Events

3 w. ago China's military says it 'drove away' US destroyer near Scarborough Shoal

China's military says it 'drove away' US destroyer near Scarborough Shoal  Reuters

Events

3 w. ago Collision between Chinese ships expected to escalate tension in South China Sea

More tension is expected in the South China Sea following a collision between two Chinese vessels, with analysts predicting the incident was likely to prompt Beijing to further increase its presence in the contested waterway. Experts also warned that the incident could push China to enhance coordination between its navy and coastguard to prevent similar accidents in future. On Monday, Manila claimed that a China Coast Guard vessel sustained severe damage to its bow after colliding with a larger...

Events

3 w. ago Philippines slams ‘reckless’ Chinese ships over collision at Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines on Tuesday criticised China’s “reckless behaviour” after two Chinese ships rammed into each other following their high-speed chase targeting a Philippine coastguard (PCG) vessel and urged Beijing to respect international maritime rules. In a social media post, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Philippines had consistently called on the Chinese government to respect the Colregs. He was referring to the International Regulations for...

Politics

3 w. ago What do we know about the collision between 2 Chinese ships?

Two Chinese ships were involved in a collision during a confrontation with Philippine ships near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Monday. The incident, in which Beijing claimed it had expelled a number of vessels from the area, was the latest in a series of confrontations between the two countries in the South China Sea. Here is what we know about the incident so far. Which vessels were involved? Two Philippine coastguard vessels – the BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan – were in the area...

Politics

3 w. ago China ships collide during clash with Philippine vessel at Scarborough Shoal

China’s coastguard said Monday that it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from a contested feature in the South China Sea, while Manila claimed two Chinese vessels collided during the operation, leaving one heavily damaged. Chinese coastguard spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement that the Chinese coastguard forced several Philippine coastguard and government vessels away from waters near Scarborough Shoal after they “ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and insistently...

Politics

3 w. ago China says it expels Philippines vessels near Scarborough Shoal

China says it expels Philippines vessels near Scarborough Shoal  Al Jazeera

Politics

3 w. ago Philippines doesn’t want war, ‘perplexed’ Marcos says after China warning

The Philippines does not want to go to war but will never order its vessels to withdraw from contested areas, the country’s president said following yet another coastguard encounter with China near Scarborough Shoal. Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said on Monday that he was also perplexed about a Chinese foreign ministry warning that he was “playing with fire” after he suggested last week during a visit to India that his country would “have to get involved” if a conflict between Beijing and Washington...

Events

3 w. ago Assessing footage said to show collision between Chinese ships in South China Sea

Assessing footage said to show collision between Chinese ships in South China Sea  BBC

Politics

3 w. ago Chinese coast guard expelled Philippine vessels around Scarborough Shoal

Chinese coast guard expelled Philippine vessels around Scarborough Shoal  Reuters

Politics