China could build an artificial island at the fiercely contested Scarborough Shoal to shore up control of the surrounding waters if its newly established nature reserve fails to stem challenges by the Philippines, a prominent Chinese scholar on the dispute has said. But a final decision would boil down to control, cost and confrontation, according…
Published on: Aug 15, 2025 02:07 pm IST Philippine Coast Guard footage shows a Chinese navy ship cutting across a PCG vessel’s path, colliding and damaging its forecastle. China’s defence ministry accused Philippine coast guard vessels of “dangerous manoeuvres” in response to reports of Monday’s collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal in the…
This handout video grab released and taken on August 11, 2025 by the Philippine Coast Guard shows an incident between a Chinese Navy vessel (L) and a Chinese Coast Guard ship (R) as seen from a Philippine fisheries boat near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)…
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly dialing down his rhetoric in order to secure direct talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and a possible trade deal. Bloomberg quoted unnamed White House sources saying Trump is increasingly pursuing purchase agreements that resemble deals he made in his first term and pushing for quick wins, rather than…