Latest South China Sea News

Philippine president orders shutdown of Chinese-run online gambling industry employing thousands

Jul. 22, 2024 21:18 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered an immediate ban on widespread and mostly Chinese-run online gaming operations, accusing them of venturing into crimes, including financial scams, human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder. ...

China and the Philippines announce deal aimed at stopping clashes at fiercely disputed shoal

Jul. 22, 2024 05:28 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — China and the Philippines reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippine government said Sunday. The Philippines occupies Second Thomas Shoal but China also claims it, and...

A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targets a ship transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Jul. 11, 2024 00:01 AM EDT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a Liberian-flagged tanker in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday, as authorities acknowledged the rebels launched their longest-range attack yet on a U.S.-flagged vessel near the Arabian Sea. ...

China and the Philippines hold crucial talks to ease tensions after intense clash in disputed waters

Jul. 02, 2024 12:50 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — China and the Philippines held a crucial meeting Tuesday to try to ease mounting tensions following their worst confrontation in the disputed South China Sea that sparked fears of a wider conflict that could involve the United States. There was no mention...

Philippines won't invoke mutual defense treaty with US after Chinese confrontation at disputed shoal

Jun. 21, 2024 08:36 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines said Friday it has no plan to invoke its mutual defense treaty with the United States after the Chinese coast guard reportedly rammed, boarded and used machetes and axes to damage two Philippine navy boats in a chaotic faceoff that injured Filipino navy...

Vietnam says it's ready to hold talks with Philippines on overlapping continental shelf claims

Jun. 21, 2024 06:16 AM EDT

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam is ready to hold talks with the Philippines to settle their overlapping claims to the undersea continental shelf in the South China Sea, official Vietnamese media said Friday, in a diplomatic approach that contrasts with China’s increasingly assertive actions to...

Philippines demands China return rifles and pay for boat damage after hostilities in disputed sea

Jun. 19, 2024 21:40 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine military chief demanded Wednesday that China return several rifles and equipment seized by the Chinese coast guard in a disputed shoal and pay for damages in an assault he likened to an act of piracy in the South China Sea. Chinese...

Fresh Malaysian durians will make their way to China as trade deals signed during Premier Li's visit

Jun. 19, 2024 06:55 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Fresh Malaysian durians will soon make their way to China as the two countries signed a slew of trade and economic deals Wednesday during a visit by Premier Li Qiang to celebrate a half-century of diplomatic relations. Li held private talks with...

Philippine officials say Chinese forces seized 2 navy boats in disputed shoal, injuring sailors

Jun. 18, 2024 10:07 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Chinese forces seized two Philippine rubber boats that were delivering food and other supplies to a military outpost in a disputed South China Sea shoal in a tense confrontation in which some Filipino navy personnel were injured, Philippine security officials said...

Chinese and Philippine ship collision just the latest in a string of South China Sea confrontations

Jun. 17, 2024 06:23 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — China has been at odds with many other countries in the Asia-Pacific for years over its sweeping maritime claims, including almost all of the South China Sea, a strategic and resource-rich waterway around which Beijing has drawn a 10-dash-line on official maps to...