In the vast, turquoise expanse of the South China Sea, hundreds of fishing boats sit idle off China’s southern coast. But the people on these vessels aren’t there to fish. “They’re there to maintain presence,” said Gregory Poling from the US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “Philippine surveillance shows crew members sitting around…
After a hiatus of nearly a decade, China is jump-starting its island-building campaign in the South China Sea—and turning a once-obscure reef into what could be its largest military base in the disputed waters. A satellite image of Antelope Reef taken in February. The construction at Antelope Reef could give Beijing another runway, more missile…
Airstrips that were constructed on remote islands in the Pacific to target Japan in the closing stages of World War II are quietly being repaired and restored as the US builds up its defensive posture amid the growing challenge of China in the region. Chinese vessels frequently test maritime claims by South Korea and Japan…
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong is set for a hot and damp week ahead, with the city’s forecaster predicting relative humidity to reach as high as 95 per cent from Wednesday as seasonal coastal mist moves in….
As Hainan pushes ahead with its free-trade port, the tropical island is emerging as a potential rival to Hong Kong’s long-standing role as a regional shopping and low-tax hub – even as both sides signal interest in closer cooperation. Since launching a separate customs regime three months ago, Hainan – now a gateway to the…
A Russian oil-laden tanker originally bound for China has reversed course in the South China Sea and is now heading to India. The move comes amid a global energy crisis caused amid the US-Iran war. The tanker Aqua titan, carrying Russian oil, was initially heading to China. (Brian Kushner/MarineTraffic.com) Ship-tracking data show that the Aframax…
Hong Kong authorities are investigating the discovery of a severely decomposed whale carcass discovered on a beach in Sai Kung. Authorities were alerted to the decomposed carcass, measuring 11 metres (36.1 feet) in length, on Thursday after villagers found it on the beach at Ham Tin Wan, in Sai Kung East Country Park. The Agriculture,…
The Philippine and U.S. militaries sailed together at a disputed South China Sea shoal this week, Manila’s armed forces said on Tuesday (January 27, 2026), performing joint exercises to boost interoperability between the two treaty allies. The joint sail was held in the Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea waters lying within the Philippines’ exclusive…
One of the deals allows the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other supplies when their forces stage joint training. Published On 15 Jan 202615 Jan 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share The Philippines and Japan signed two defence pacts Thursday, including a deal allowing their forces to exchange supplies…
The ongoing tension between the United States and Iran took a fresh turn on Wednesday after News Nation reported that battleship USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group is being moved from the South China Sea to the Middle East. Kellie Meyer, the White House correspondent of News Nation, reported the movement citing a…