Asia's territorial disputes

Philippines delays award of key bridge project amid China risk

The Philippines and China have clashed in disputed waters near outposts Beijing has built in the South China Sea.

Beijing’s influence comes under scrutiny as Philippines-China Studies Center debuts in Manila

macenter - Dr Rommel Banlaoi (4th from left) leads the opening of the Philippines-China Studies Center at Diliman College in Quezon City, Philippines on November 18, 2025. Joining him are (from right to left) are Filipino Chinese Friendship Association president Danny Sze, Association of Philippines China Understanding chairman Raul Lambino, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc president Victor Lim, Diliman College president Nikki Coseteng, former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos, Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran president Anabel Chua Lim, and a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

CREDIT: PHILIPPINES-CHINA STUDIES CENTER, DILIMAN COLLEGE

Japan warns citizens in China about safety as diplomatic crisis deepens

Film distributors in China have suspended the screening of at least two Japanese films.

Japan seeks to calm escalating spat with China over Taiwan

FILE PHOTO: Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her first policy speech in parliament, in Tokyo, Japan, October 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

News analysis

Philippines steps up front-line role in Indo-Pacific with new US-linked task force

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (right) meets with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr (left) in Malaysia on October 31, 2025 to establish Task Force Philippines.

News analysis

PM Takaichi moves to unleash Japan’s long-stifled defence industry

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles (L) and Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani hold a joint press announcement aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mikuma at the JMSDF naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture on September 5, 2025. Japan and Australia agreed on September 5 to further deepen defence ties, a month after Canberra announced it would upgrade its navy with 11 advanced warships built by Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / POOL / AFP)

Taiwan president expected to announce new air defence system in face of Chinese pressure

FILE PHOTO: Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te pays a visit to Songshan airbase in Taipei, Taiwan March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo/File Photo

Commentary

Conservation is China’s newest weapon in the South China Sea

This photo taken on February 15, 2024 shows an aerial view over the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

China pushes US to ‘oppose’ Taiwan independence in major shift

Taiwanese soldiers man a US-made M1A2T Abrams tank during live-fire military drills in July.

North Korea could have up to 2,000kg of highly enriched uranium: Seoul

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this week he was open to US talks, provided he can keep his nuclear arsenal.

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