This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong education authorities suspended all morning and whole-day classes on Monday due to squally thunderstorms, but the weather forecaster cancelled all…
The collision of two Chinese vessels in the South China Sea this week was dramatic — and, according to China watchers, predictable. For years, China’s military, coast guard, and maritime militia have been accused of using aggressive tactics such as close-range intercepts, blocking runs, chases, and water cannon harassment to assert control over contested waters….
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the No 1 typhoon signal at 10.20pm on Saturday night, with higher warnings possible on Sunday…
Up to five typhoons are expected to come within 500km (310 miles) of Hong Kong over the rest of this year, the forecaster has warned, urging residents to brace for stormy weather and a possible No 1 standby signal on Saturday night. The Hong Kong Observatory on Friday evening said the figure was above normal…
We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese mega dam stops using Western industrial chips over security…
MANILA, Philippines — Australia on Friday launched its largest military exercises with Philippine forces, involving more than 3,600 military personnel in live-fire drills, battle maneuvers and a beach assault at a Philippine town facing the disputed South China Sea, where the allies have raised alarm over Beijing’s assertive actions. The exercises are called Alon, meaning…
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…
A Chinese fighter jet allegedly flew close to a Philippine coastguard aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday morning, while US and PLA naval vessels operated close by amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine state-run broadcaster People’s Television Network (PTV), a Cessna Caravan operated by the coastguard was…
The United States deployed two warships Wednesday to a shoal in disputed waters in South China Sea, where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while chasing a smaller Philippine ship. The high-seas accident raised concerns about maritime safety and questions about the extent to which the U.S. should involve itself in longstanding tensions between…
The Chinese navy said it expelled a US Navy ship that entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea, while the US defended the operation as legal under international law. China’s navy tracked and warned off the USS Higgins, a US Navy destroyer, after it “illegally intruded” into the waters surrounding Scarborough Shoal without…