Asia's territorial disputes

Philippines probes possible new structure at disputed Scarborough Shoal

Scarborough is a prime fishing spot located 200km off the western coast of the Philippines. It is also 874km from Hainan, China’s nearest land mass.

Philippines, Vietnam elevate ties to enhanced strategic partnership

Vietnam's top leader To Lam and Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shake hands during a bilateral meeting at Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila on June 1.

News analysis

The great Indo-Pacific hedge: Deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends

Strategic strike group displays CJ-20A cruise missiles during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

China opposes any country using freedom of navigation to undermine sovereignty

A Navy miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration taken, April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Tokyo and Manila launch intelligence-sharing, maritime border talks amid unease over China

epa12999742 Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (L) shake hands before a summit meeting at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo, Japan, 28 May 2026. EPA/Kiyoshi Ota / POOL

US Navy official says Taiwan arm sales on ‘pause’ due to Iran war

A Tuo Chiang-class corvette is anchored in the port of Keelung city, Taiwan.

Taiwan presses case for US arms after Trump says he’s undecided on new sales

US President Donald Trump has said he plans to talk to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te.

Vatican official makes rare trip to Taiwan for Buddhist charity celebrations

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation members commemorate the organization’s 60th anniversary during an annual Buddha bathing ceremony marking Buddha’s birthday, Mother’s Day and Global Tzu Chi Day at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, May 10.

In Vietnam, Japan PM vows more effort to keep Asia ‘free and open’

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam have agreed to advance their partnership to a “new phase of development”.

News analysis

6 months after Japan’s Takaichi came to power, she faces challenges to achieve her flagship policies

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.