South China Sea

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Fiji looks to Beijing
Sitiveni Rabuka, Fiji's new prime minister, feels neglected by the West and, barely in office, now opens up to China. continue reading →
Marcos seeks to negotiate with Beijing over disputed maritime territories
A few weeks after his state visit to Beijing, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to hold concrete negotiations with China to resolve conflicts in disputed maritime areas. He has proposed talks between the foreign ministries of the two countries for this purpose, according to a report by the AP news agency. The idea is […] continue reading →
Indonesia’s most difficult partner
China is Indonesia's most important business partner. At the same time, Jakarta is defending itself against Beijing's aggressive actions in disputed waters. With its many raw materials, the emerging country becomes more important for China. It is a complicated relationship. continue reading →
Rearming in the South China Sea
Dangerous incidents in the South China Sea are on the rise. But of all places, an area through which one-third of all global trade transits lacks a universally accepted crisis mechanism. continue reading →
Between the USA and China: Marcos Jr. seeks balance
The Philippines is seeking a balance between its partners the USA and China. Conflicts with Beijing over maritime territories have dominated relations in recent times. But the new President Marcos Jr. is trying to find a way to more cooperation. To this end, he traveled to Beijing this week. continue reading →
Qin Gang – How China’s new foreign minister sees the world
Qin Gang is China's new foreign minister. The formerly gruff wolf warrior has risen to become the People's Republic's chief diplomat. Some are now hoping for détente between China and the United States. But probably in vain. continue reading →
President of the Philippines visits Beijing
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. embarked on a three-day state visit to China on Tuesday. His government expects to sign 10 agreements with the People’s Republic, Marcos said in a speech before leaving for Beijing: “I will open a new chapter in our comprehensive, strategic cooperation with China.” Marcos Jr. added that he would expand […] continue reading →
The Philippines increases military presence in South China Sea
The Philippines’ Department of National Defense ordered the military to increase its presence in the South China Sea. It reportedly observed Chinese activity in waters near the Philippines-administered and strategically important Pag-asa Island, also known as Thitu Island. The island is part of the disputed Spratly Islands. China’s activities in the area were not specified. […] continue reading →
China downplays missile incident
Representatives of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday denied that one of its coast guard vessels had used force against a Philippine ship. Specifically, the incident involved the recovery of a piece of a missile floating in the sea that was hanging from the tow of a Philippine ship in the South China Sea. Speaking […] continue reading →
Johann Fuhrmann – ‘China has a genuine interest in dialogue’
“It is our task to keep the political dialogue alive,” Johann Fuhrmann says about his work in China. Since July 2021, the 38-year-old is in charge of the office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in the Chinese capital. Earlier this year, he managed to enter the country and has since worked permanently on-site in Beijing again. […] continue reading →
Philippines wants to hold talks with China
Despite its territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippines is pursuing energy cooperation with China. It is interested in resuming talks with China on joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. The goal, he said, is to expand and […] continue reading →
Widodo offers Xi foreign policy support
Xi Jinping receives a foreign head of state in China for the first time since the Winter Olympics. The meeting with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo is a strategic move – on both sides. continue reading →
Wang: South China Sea not ‘a fighting arena’
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has indirectly urged the US to stay out of the South China Sea. The South China Sea is not a “safari park” for countries outside the region or a “fighting arena” for major powers to compete in, Wang said on Monday at a virtual seminar commemorating the 20th anniversary of […] continue reading →
The military absorbs South Seas paradises
China continues to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific: Beijing has forged a security partnership with the Solomon Islands. A US admiral even accuses Beijing of militarizing the South China Sea. continue reading →
China’s military gets a significant boost
China is increasing its military spending more than in previous years. This is because Beijing sees itself confronted with a tense neighborhood. But that does not stop China's leadership from making clear threats of its own. continue reading →
US fighter jet recovered
The US Navy has recovered the US fighter jet that sank in the South China Sea. The F-35C is one of the newest jets of the US armed forces and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology (China.Table reported). The jet had crashed into the sea during a landing accident on the aircraft carrier in January. The […] continue reading →
Will the US lose its F-35C fighter jet to China?
A US fighter jet crashes into the South China Sea. Recovery is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, experts expect a race between the US and China. Access to the latest military technology is too tempting for the Chinese military. continue reading →
German Frigate enters South China Sea
A ship of the German Navy currently in Asia’s waters is reaching a crucial part of its mission: The frigate Bayern entered the South China Sea on Wednesday. The ship’s presence there is primarily symbolic. The frigate is expressly adhering to the usual routes open to traffic, according to the Ministry of Defense. The Bayern […] continue reading →