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Asia's territorial disputes

China tightens Japanese trade restrictions as spat worsens

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has suggested Japan may react military to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has suggested Japan may react military to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

US to deploy more cutting-edge missile systems to the Philippines

The US deployed its Typhon missile system, which can fire multipurpose rockets, to the Philippines in 2024.
The US deployed its Typhon missile system, which can fire multipurpose rockets, to the Philippines in 2024.

Taiwan to tackle defence spending review after Chinese New Year holiday

FILE PHOTO: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te holds a press conference on the special defence budget in Taipei, Taiwan, February 11, 2026. REUTERS/Yi-Chin Lee/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te holds a press conference on the special defence budget in Taipei, Taiwan, February 11, 2026. REUTERS/Yi-Chin Lee/File Photo

South China Sea spat: Beijing bans Philippine town officials after envoy declared persona non grata

mathitu - A Chinese Coast Guard ship sails close to the western shores of Thitu Island that Filipino residents can see it from their windows.
mathitu - A Chinese Coast Guard ship sails close to the western shores of Thitu Island that Filipino residents can see it from their windows.

Popularity of Japan anime characters in China unaffected by strained ties

Chinese fans of Japanese-originated anime say their devotion is “a source of spiritual fulfilment”.
Chinese fans of Japanese-originated anime say their devotion is “a source of spiritual fulfilment”.

China vows ‘resolute response’ to any reckless acts after Japan election

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), arrives at the Prime Minister's office after her party's historic election win in Sunday's poll in Tokyo, Japan, February 9, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), arrives at the Prime Minister's office after her party's historic election win in Sunday's poll in Tokyo, Japan, February 9, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

‘No consensus for now’ within ASEAN to recognise Myanmar election, says grouping’s chair

Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan, Myanmar's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hau Khan Sum, Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, East Timor's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Philippines' Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono, Laos' Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn pose for a group photo during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu City, Philippines, January 29, 2026.  JAM STA ROSA/Pool via REUTERS
Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan, Myanmar's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hau Khan Sum, Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, East Timor's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Philippines' Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono, Laos' Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn pose for a group photo during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu City, Philippines, January 29, 2026.  JAM STA ROSA/Pool via REUTERS

Number of Chinese customers at Japan department stores dives over 40% in December as ties sour

The number of Chinese tourists in Japan slumped 45 per cent in December from a year earlier to around 330,000.
The number of Chinese tourists in Japan slumped 45 per cent in December from a year earlier to around 330,000.

Philippines to insist that South China Sea code be based on international law

File Photo: Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro speaks at a press conference in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo
File Photo: Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro speaks at a press conference in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo

Philippines waives visas for Chinese nationals to boost tourism

The Philippines has been a regional laggard in post-pandemic tourism recovery.
The Philippines has been a regional laggard in post-pandemic tourism recovery.

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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.