South China Sea
‘Dangerous, irresponsible, illegal’: China, Philippines trade barbs after ship collision in South China Sea
The two countries have had numerous run-ins in areas of the South China Sea in recent months, especially the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.
- by Enrico Dela Cruz
Latest
China worried security support for Timor would bring ‘overreaction’: Ramos-Horta
Defending his country’s upgrading of ties with Beijing, Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta says China is “more respectful of Australia’s position than Australia is of the Chinese position”.
- by Chris Barrett
Philippines furious over fatal South China Sea collision
The fatal collision with an oil tanker occurred in waters off Scarborough Shoal, an atoll disputed by Manila and Beijing that has everyone jumping.
- by Chris Barrett
In ‘special operation’, Philippine coast guard removes barrier placed by China
Philippine officials condemned China’s installation of a 300-metre-long barrier at the entrance to the rich fishing waters of the lagoon at Scarborough Shoal.
- by Jim Gomez
‘Destroying our reefs with impunity’: The new row in the South China Sea
Manila says China’s maritime militia has modified the natural topography of its underwater terrain. Beijing says the claims are fiction.
- by Chris Barrett
Opinion
China relations
My country is not just a geopolitical chess piece. It’s in the line of fire
Taiwan is often spoken of in terms of the US and China, but not in terms of what its own people - like me - hope to see regarding their fate.
- by Brian Hioe
Weakened China too poor to consider attacking Taiwan, Biden says
The US president, tired from a gruelling four-day trip to Asia, said China’s slowing economy might prove a reprieve for the island.
- by David Millward
Analysis
Foreign relations
China’s provocations finally bring Australia and the Philippines together
It’s taken a mutual wariness, and even alarm, about China’s economic coercion and territorial expansionism to bond the two nations together.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Foreign relations
Australia, Philippines team up to deter Chinese ‘coercion’ in disputed waters
Anthony Albanese is pushing to deepen economic and security ties with South-East Asia as he departs on a three-nation overseas diplomatic trip.
- by Matthew Knott
February 2023: US to increase military presence in Philippines
The Philippines has granted the US access to more military bases, as tensions with China mount.
Australian, US, Filipino forces practise retaking an island in the South China Sea
Despite the countries being vocal critics of China’s aggressive actions in the disputed waters, the Philippine military said Beijing wasn’t the envisioned target.
- by Jim Gomez