On Thursday China landed a robotic spacecraft called Chang’e 4 on the far side of the Moon in a space exploration world first, touching down at 10.26am local time (2.26am GMT), according to Chinese state media. Of the Moon landing, Professor Hou Xiyun of Nanjing University said: “On the whole, China’s space technology still lags […]

MANILA, Philippines — China may end up occupying more areas in the West Philippine Sea if it would be allowed to unilaterally rehabilitate coral reefs in the disputed region, a maritime expert warned. Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said China’s announcement that it would carry […]

As a vital artery of trade for many of the world’s largest economies, the South China Sea has garnered significant attention. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development () estimates that roughly 80 percent of global trade by volume is transported by sea. Of that volume, 60 percent of global maritime trade passes through […]

The China-US rivalry in Asia – especially in the South China Sea – will intensify with the passage of American legislation underlining Washington’s commitment to the region, analysts said. The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, which US President Donald Trump signed into law this week, signalled that the US wanted to retain its allies and mobilise […]

Despite gloomy predictions that the U.S. could lose a war with China in the South China Sea, the reality is that the U.S. military has all the weapons to defeat its Chinese counterpart, though the cost in lives and the subsequent political and economic fallout from a war of that magnitude would be devastating. There […]

“What the United States fears the most is taking casualties,” Lou lectured his audience. “We’ll see how frightened America is.” Forty years ago this New Year’s Day, one of the most historic moments in the history of U.S. diplomacy occurred: the United States and the People’s Republic of China ended their thirty-year estrangement and established […]

In a video clip shown by China Central Television on Friday, the pilot of the Chinese plane is heard speaking in English to the crew of the unidentified aircraft. “This is China air force,” he said. “You have entered the Chinese ADIZ. Report your nationality ID and purpose of the flight.” The report did not […]

An armed conflict between Beijing and Washington could possibly ignite over Taiwan or the South China Sea, while some have suggested that US may use these sensitive spots as a bargaining chip in a trade standoff. Chinese leader Xi Jinping told the military to ramp up their training and preparations for an all-out war, should […]

The official Xinhua news agency reported that Mr Xi told a meeting of the top military authority that China faced increasing risks and challenges and that armed forces must work to secure its security and development needs. Mr Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the armed forces must devise strategies […]

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday said she would welcome a British military base in the South China Sea as she called for increased international support to defend the self-ruled island from renewed threats from Beijing. Ms Tsai’s comments came days after Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, warned that Beijing reserves the right to use […]