South China Sea

Vietnam, Malaysia’s upgraded ties could pave way for ‘more cohesive’ regional approach to South China Sea tensions: Experts

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Vietnam, Malaysia’s upgraded ties could pave way for ‘more cohesive’ regional approach to South China Sea tensions: Experts

Vietnam maintains three tiers of diplomatic relationship with other countries: Comprehensive partnerships; strategic partnerships; and comprehensive strategic partnerships (CSP). A CSP is the highest tier. According to an August 2024 Voice of America article on diplomatic relationships, a comprehensive partnership may signal a general intent to cooperate across a broad range of issues, while strategic … Read more

Global Impact | New leaders in Asia, as well as the US, create questions as Donald Trump’s return looms

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Global Impact | New leaders in Asia, as well as the US, create questions as Donald Trump’s return looms

Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now! The re-election of Donald Trump as US president earlier this month brought with it fresh challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, where several countries have also … Read more

Ex-Chinese ambassador offers rare insight into Beijing’s thinking about foreign media

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Ex-Chinese ambassador offers rare insight into Beijing’s thinking about foreign media

A former Chinese ambassador has shared her tips on dealing with foreign media in an article for a party organ that gives a rare insight into the mindset of the country’s senior diplomats. “When I was ambassador to Australia, I accepted an interview. The journalist’s family had immigrated from an eastern European country … and … Read more

What does Trump’s pick for Pentagon chief mean for US-China military ties?

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What does Trump’s pick for Pentagon chief mean for US-China military ties?

US president-elect Donald Trump’s surprise pick of Pete Hegseth, a television host and army veteran, to be his Pentagon chief is expected to inject more unpredictability into the already fragile US-China military relationship, according to analysts. Hegseth, 44, is a Fox News political commentator and a military veteran who served tours of duty in Iraq … Read more

Mysterious buoys: China’s top spy agency crowdsources help to track foreign devices at sea

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Mysterious buoys: China’s top spy agency crowdsources help to track foreign devices at sea

China’s top spy agency has called on the public to identify and report oceanic buoys that may be in use by a foreign military and could be used against submarines. Oceanic buoys are versatile marine observation devices mainly used to monitor oceanographic conditions, water quality and weather data. They play a critical role in maritime … Read more

Philippines says joint maritime exercises rein in China

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Philippines says joint maritime exercises rein in China

MANILA: Joint naval exercises held frequently by the Philippines, United States and other Western powers are helping rein in “aggressive” Chinese actions in the South China Sea, a Filipino military official said on Wednesday (Nov 6). Beijing has for years sought to expand its presence in the disputed waterway, brushing aside an international ruling that its … Read more

China takes down fake news about its military, closes social media accounts

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China takes down fake news about its military, closes social media accounts

Chinese internet regulators are removing social media accounts that use fake information to hype the country’s military strength, including false reports of “cyberwarfare” in the South China Sea. A sample post from June on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, read: “Breaking news: China and the US engaged in 12 hours of cyber warfare, causing Luzon … Read more

Chinese vessel in Natuna: Indonesia’s response ‘shows resolve’ by new Prabowo government without harming ties, say analysts

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Chinese vessel in Natuna: Indonesia’s response ‘shows resolve’ by new Prabowo government without harming ties, say analysts

As such, he expects Mr Prabowo to be deploying more “politically less sensitive large white hulls” like Bakamla and Indonesia Sea and Coast Guard boats, as compared to grey hulls belonging to the Indonesian Navy. “This is to send a message that Indonesia does not want to fight but remains cognisant of what goes on … Read more

China sees ‘sudden’ rise in sea water, jobs for Hong Kong top talents: SCMP’s 7 highlights

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China sees ‘sudden’ rise in sea water, jobs for Hong Kong top talents: SCMP’s 7 highlights

1. China hit by sudden rise of sea water level ‘never seen in history’ Late Monday evening, along the coast of northeastern China’s Bohai Sea, the water began to rise as it normally does when tide comes in. But the water kept rising. It quickly flooded inland areas, prompting emergency responses and shattering official records. … Read more

US, Philippines launch war games a day after China’s Taiwan drills

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US, Philippines launch war games a day after China’s Taiwan drills

MANILA: Thousands of US and Filipino marines launched 10 days of joint exercises in the northern and western Philippines on Tuesday (Oct 15), a day after China held huge drills around Taiwan. The annual Kamandag, or Venom, exercises are focused on defending the north coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon, which lies about 800km … Read more