South China Sea

First US Navy ships sail through Taiwan Strait since Trump inauguration

Two American Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait this week in the first mission since President Donald Trump took office last month. It drew an angry reaction from China, which said the mission increased security risks. Laura Westbrook has more.

12 February, 2025 45

World

China opposes new Philippine maritime law, vows to protect South China Sea ‘sovereignty’

China has rejected Philippine maritime claims and called new legislation an infringement on its territorial sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea. The two countries have overlapping territorial claims in the disputed waters, with encounters growing more frequent and combative in recent months. Laura Westbrook has more.

11 November, 2024 71

World

China accuses Philippine ship of deliberately colliding with coast guard

China has accused the Philippines of deliberately colliding with a coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea.Beijing has recently warned that further incursions would be met with strong measures. William Denselow reports from Hong Kong.

19 August, 2024 48

World

Philippines and US navies hold joint exercise in South China Sea

The Philippines and United States navies conducted a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea, as the two allies enhance how their militaries cooperation at a time of growing tensions in the South China Sea. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

1 August, 2024 32

World

China says one of its ships bumped by Philippine vessel in South China Sea

Beijing's coast guard said a Philippine supply ship "dangerously approached" a Chinese ship resulting in a slight collision in the South China Sea, but no injuries or damage were reported.

17 June, 2024 50

World

Philippines accuses Chinese boats of ‘dangerous’ actions in high seas medivac

As two Philippine vessels meet on the high seas to transfer a sick Filipino soldier, China Coast Guard boats shadow, block and bump them, according to video released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Friday. The incident happened last month during the medical evacuation of a soldier who was stationed on a grounded Philippine Navy vessel on Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. […]

7 June, 2024 22

World

China deploys ships to block a civilian led Philippine protest flotilla

A large flotilla formed as part of Philippine civilian-led supply mission had to turn back from reaching a shoal in the South China Sea, while a smaller group delivered food and fuel to Filipino fishermen, despite being shadowed by Chinese vessels. The Scarborough Shoal is a prime fishing patch and China claims sovereignty over the shoal and almost all the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines. Laura […]

17 May, 2024 57

World

China vows to carry out countermeatures against a civililian-led Philippine fleet in disputed waters

A fleet of about 100 small fishing boats led by Philippine non-governmental organizations sailed to the waters near Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea. China has urged the Philippines to immediately stop and has vowed to carry what it calls enforcement activities in the waters. Laura Westbrook has more from Hong Kong.

16 May, 2024 38

World

China denies Philippine report of “artificial island” in disputed waters

China has denied a Philippine report of trying to build an artificial island in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard said it had deployed a ship to Sabina Shoal on the Spratly archipelago, where it accused China of building an artificial island and had documented what it said were piles of dead and crushed coral on the sandbars. Laura Westbrook reports for us from Hong Kong.

14 May, 2024 57