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The Latest Breaking News from the South China Sea

China's biggest island-building project in years: How Antelope Reef grew to 1,490 acres in months

Since October 2025, China has been transforming Antelope Reef, once one of its smallest outposts in the South China Sea's Paracel Islands, into what satellite data now suggests may become its largest artificial island anywhere in the region. By March 2026, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington-based Centre…

The Times of India

German president says Europe is worried over tensions in the disputed South China Sea

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says Europe is worried over tensions in the disputed South China Sea that could endanger freedom of navigation as happened in the Strait of Hormuz

The Independent UK

Taiwan says Chinese vessels entered disputed waters in South China Sea

Taiwan said that Chinese vessels "openly intruded" on disputed waters around Itu Aba island in the South China Sea on Thursday, staying for 15 minutes before the Taiwanese coast guard expelled them. The island is claimed by Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

France 24

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Philippines urges China to remove shoal structure, warns against island-building

Philippines urges China to remove floating ⁠platform at Scarborough Shoal, as security officials release photos showing platform with antenna and personnel

Bangkok Post

The Philippines protests China's floating 'structure' on the disputed South China Sea shoal

The Philippines has protested China’s deployment of what Manila describes as a floating “structure” with personnel on a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, fearing it could be a part of Beijing’s effort to turn the uninhabited atoll into an island base

The Independent UK

"Tides & Voices" Salon: Consolidating the Foundation for Peace and Development in the South China Sea Through Dialogue and Cooperation

BEIJING, June 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 5, the "Tides & Voices" salon convened at China Media Group's Sanya Studio. Hosted by the CMG Chinese Language Programming Center, this event brought together Chinese and international experts from the CMG Expert Committee on South China Sea Studies. Participants engaged in…

AAP

Taiwan says Chinese coast guard, research ships near key South China Sea islands

Taiwan has reported a new escalation in the South China Sea on Saturday. A Chinese coast guard ship and a survey vessel conducted a coordinated operation near Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. Taiwan's coast guard stated this was the first instance of such coordinated provocation. China claims sovereignty over the islands. Taiwan…

The Economic Times

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Taiwan, China in renewed standoff in South China Sea

Taiwan's Coast Guard says a Chinese coast guard ship "forced its way" into restricted waters in the South China Sea.

AAP

Trump's China moves can open up a vast market for India

India is emerging as a significant defence supplier in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam becoming the second buyer of the BrahMos missile after the Philippines. Indonesia is reportedly close to a deal, while Malaysia and Thailand have shown interest, potentially expanding India's defence footprint across the South China Sea region.

The Economic Times

China patrols Scarborough Shoal after Philippines warns of threat

BEIJING - China's military and coast guard said they carried out patrols near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Sunday, a day after the Philippine defence minister said Manila remained under threat from Beijing despite a recent easing in US-China tensions.

Bangkok Post

China says it expelled Dutch ship from South China Sea

The Chinese navy has expelled a Dutch frigate from the South China Sea after it "illegally" entered waters around the Paracel Islands, the Chinese army says.

AAP

White House invite to PM Modi has flouted protocol, says Ex Diplomat

Former Diplomat Veena Sikri highlights protocol concerns regarding an invitation for Prime Minister Modi. She notes renewed US interest in the Quad, with potential summits discussed. Discussions also covered maritime security, energy security, and the impact of new US visa rules on India. India seeks non-discriminatory processes while exploring energy…

The Economic Times

Rajnath Singh embarks on 4-day trip to Vietnam and South Korea

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a four-day visit to Vietnam and South Korea to bolster strategic defence cooperation, including joint production of military hardware. The trip aims to strengthen defence industrial partnerships, enhance maritime collaboration, and promote peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions will also cover the South China…

The Economic Times

South China Sea mystery: Giant sharks appear after scientists sink cow carcass 1,600 meters deep

In a deep-sea experiment, scientists from Sun Yat-sen University dropped a cow carcass to a depth of 1,629 meters in the South China Sea. This project aimed to mimic a ‘whale fall,’ where whale remains nourish the usually barren ocean floor. The mission's footage left the marine biology world in…

The Times of India

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The Independent UK

Taiwanese minister makes rare visit to contested island in South China Sea

Kuan Bi-ling’s visit to Taiwan-controlled Itu Aba, also known as Taipei Island, comes after seven years

The Independent UK

US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines despite Washington's focus on Iran

The United States and the Philippines have kicked off of their largest combat exercises in an annual display of allied military might

The Independent UK

Philippines accuses China of ‘sabotage’ after cyanide found in bottles seized from Chinese vessels

China denies allegations of ‘so-called use of cyanide’ as ‘farce’

The Times of India

China eyes strategic gains across Asia as US remains tied down in Gulf crisis

The Middle East conflict creates strategic space for China's influence expansion in Asia as US attention diverts. Historical patterns show China increasing activity in the South China Sea and near Taiwan during US focus on other global crises. These calibrated actions, below escalation thresholds, alter the regional strategic environment.

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The Independent UK

Philippines opens key coast guard base in the disputed South China Sea

The Philippines has unveiled a major coast guard base on Thitu Island in the South China Sea

Space

A photographer's journey to capture a blood moon rising over the South China Sea. 'It was an incredible moment'

"For a brief instant, I simply stood there, stunned. Then instinct took over".

The Times of India

Missile message to Beijing? US to increase its fire power in Philippines

The US and Philippines are bolstering their defense in the South China Sea by deploying advanced missile systems. This move, aimed at deterring China's assertive actions, follows joint condemnation of Beijing's "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities." The allies are also increasing joint military drills and modernizing the Philippine armed…

The Independent UK

US plans to deploy more missile launchers to the Philippines despite China's alarm

The United States is planning to deploy more high-tech missile systems in the Philippines to help deter aggression in the South China Sea, where the treaty allies again condemned China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities.”

The Times of India

The Dragon Hole of the South China Sea, where the ocean slowly runs out of oxygen

Blue holes are among the least understood features of the ocean floor. From the surface, they can appear ordinary, even calm, blending into the surrounding reef or open water. Below, however, they drop steeply and change quickly. The Sansha Yongle Blue Hole, also known as the Dragon Hole, sits in…

The Times of India

Inside China’s gray zone activities: How Beijing is salami slicing its way to influence

China is employing a 'salami slicing' strategy, taking incremental steps across military, economic, and technological domains to alter realities without triggering conflict. This 'gray zone' approach, evident in the South China Sea and beyond, bypasses international law and exploits rivals' hesitation. The cumulative effect creates new facts on the ground,…

The Times of India

Beijing stages ‘combat readiness’ patrols at Scarborough Shoal in disputed South China Sea

China carried out fresh naval and air patrols around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in a move likely to heighten tensions with the Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States.

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