South China Sea

September 16, 2024 6:44 PM

Chinese vessels maintain presence in East China Sea near disputed Senkaku islands for record 158 days

Chinese Coast Guard vessels have maintained an unprecedented presence in the waters surrounding the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea for a record 158 consecutive days, breaking the previous record set in 2021. The Japanese government has expressed grave concerns over the sustained presence of Chinese ships in the contiguous zone and instances of trespassing into territorial waters around the uninhabited islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China. "The Japanese gover...

September 16, 2024 6:42 PM

INS Kiltan arrives in Brunei as a part of South China Sea deployment

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan arrived at Muara, Brunei on Friday and was accorded a warm welcome by the Royal Brunei Navy. The visit is part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet's operational deployment to the South China Sea region. According to the Ministry of Defence, this visit aims to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two maritime nations. The naval engagement is focused on professional interactions, sports fixtures, social exchanges, and community outreach, refl...

May 24, 2024 1:33 PM

Taiwan deploys jets, mobile air defence system to monitor China drills

Taiwan’s defence forces deployed F-16 fighter jets, a mobile air defence system and a surveillance drone to monitor and shadow China’s drills around the island, footage released on Friday (May 24) showed. The two days of drills in the Taiwan Strait and around groups of Taiwan-controlled islands near the Chinese coast, which a Taiwanese official said included the mock bombing of foreign vessels, started just three days after new President Lai Ching-te took office. Taiwan has condemned China'...

May 23, 2024 9:58 AM

Taiwan dispatches forces to areas around island after China starts ‘punishment’ drill

Taiwan's military mobilized its forces and said it was confident it could protect the island, after China started two days of "punishment" drills around Taiwan on Thursday in what it said was a response to "separatist acts". The exercises, in the Taiwan Strait and around groups of Taiwan-controlled islands that sit next to the Chinese coast, come just three days after Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan's new president, a man Beijing detests as a "separatist". China, which views democratically ...

May 3, 2024 10:24 AM

South China Sea damage to Philippines ‘irresponsible’: US Defense secretary

The injuring of Filipino crew and damage to Philippine vessels in the South China Sea is "irresponsible behaviour and disregards international law", U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a joint press conference on Thursday (May 2). Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told the press conference the job was to ensure that through building capacity and deterrence there were no situations where a Mutual Defense Treaty would be triggered. China claims sovereignty over much of the Sout...

May 2, 2024 1:11 PM

Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over South China Sea flare-up

The Philippines summoned a Chinese diplomat on Thursday to protest Beijing's use of water cannon against Filipino vessels at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, describing it as harassment and "dangerous manoeuvres". Its foreign ministry said the deputy chief of mission was summoned to hear the 20th protest made by the Philippines against China this year, one of 153 under the current administration, over the conduct of its coast guard and fishing vessels that Manila maintains are militia. ...

April 19, 2024 5:02 PM

India delivers BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines

India has delivered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines as part of the USD 375 million deal signed between the two countries in 2022. The missiles have been delivered at a time when tensions between Philippines and China have escalated owing to frequent clashes in the South China Sea. Three batteries of the BrahMos missile system would be deployed by the Philippines in the coastal areas to guard against any threat in the region. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a j...

April 8, 2024 10:59 AM

Philippines will continue dialogue with China to ease South China Sea tensions, says president

Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on China to talk to prevent more incidents like ramming vessels and the use of water cannons in the South China Sea. The Philippines continues to talk with China, and is exhausting all options to speak to Chinese leadership so as not to heat up tensions in the waterway, Marcos said. He added he hopes the recently concluded joint maritime activity with Japan, Australia, and the United States will reduce incidents at sea with China. D...

September 16, 2024 4:50 PM

Philippines ready to counter China’s re-supply interference

The Philippines is prepared to respond to China's attempts to disrupt its supply missions in the South China Sea and protect its troops stationed in the waterway, a top security official said on Wednesday. Jonathan Malaya, the spokesperson of the National Security Council, said the Philippines is committed to maintaining its position at the Second Thomas Shoal and there will be no let up in re-supply missions to Filipino soldiers on a grounded warship there. "Our commitment to maintain BRP Sie...