# South%20China%20Sea
Latest news and articles about South%20China%20Sea
Total: 34 articles found
Beijing Steps Up South China Sea Patrols After Manila’s Outreach to Extra‑Regional Forces
The PLA’s Southern Theatre reported five consecutive days of sea‑air patrols in the South China Sea, framing the moves as a response to Philippine cooperation with extra‑regional forces. Manila, meanwhile, vows to accelerate negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct as ASEAN chair, creating a tension between deterrence through outside partnerships and efforts to institutionalise crisis management.
Vietnam’s Tightrope: Leaked Military Memo Warns of a ‘Second US Invasion’ as Hanoi Reaches for Beijing
Following General Secretary Su Lin’s re‑election, Vietnam’s foreign minister rushed to Beijing while a leaked military memo warned of a potential “second US invasion,” underscoring Hanoi’s deep strategic caution. The episode reveals Vietnam’s attempt to balance economic ties with the United States against historical mistrust and pragmatic security cooperation with China.
Condolence and Coercion: China’s Rescue Diplomacy Amid Rising South China Sea Tensions
China’s condolence to the Philippines after a fatal ferry sinking highlights a broader pattern of simultaneous humanitarian outreach and military assertiveness in the South China Sea. Incidents of rescue and reproach reveal deep distrust between Beijing and Manila, with implications for regional stability amid US–China competition.
Trump Blames Fuel, Not Firepower, After Two U.S. Warplanes Crash into South China Sea — A Deeper Read on Readiness Risks
President Trump has dismissed claims that two U.S. Navy aircraft lost over the South China Sea were shot down, instead pointing to fuel contamination as the probable cause. The incidents highlight aging carrier infrastructure, strained logistics and rising accident rates that could undermine U.S. carrier readiness and deterrence.
After Manila Declares No‑Sail Zone at Scarborough, PLA Sends a Stark Message
The Philippines declared a no‑sail zone near Scarborough Shoal, prompting Chinese commentary that the PLA responded with operations intended to ‘‘slap’’ Manila down. The episode highlights the fragile mix of routine maritime measures and high-stakes geopolitics in the South China Sea, with risks of further escalation unless diplomatic de‑escalation follows.
China Flies H-6K Bombers over Scarborough Shoal to Signal Control and Reach
China’s Southern Theater Command sent H-6K strategic bombers and fighters to patrol around Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal), signalling Beijing’s assertion of control and showcasing the H-6K’s extended strike and sensing capabilities. The deployment responds to a Philippine move to designate an exercise area covering the shoal and highlights the growing role of long-range Chinese airpower in South China Sea disputes.
PLA Bomber Patrols Over Huangyan Signal Beijing’s Harder Line Toward Manila
China’s Southern Theater Command dispatched H‑6K bombers and fighters on patrols over Huangyan Island on 31 January, a move Beijing says enforces its jurisdiction and rebukes Philippine attempts to declare nearby exercise areas. The flights reflect a broader strategy of regularized bomber presence and calibrated coercion intended to deter Manila while emphasising Chinese claims of humanitarian assistance and restraint.
Beijing’s Show of Force Over Scarborough: Armed PLA Flights as Manila’s Exercise Zone Escalates Tensions
China staged naval patrols and armed air overflights near Scarborough Shoal after the Philippines included the feature in a declared exercise zone, signalling Beijing’s readiness to defend what it calls sovereign territory. The episode increases the risk of miscalculation and highlights the limits of legal rulings and the growing role of calibrated coercion in the South China Sea.
China Flies H-6K Bombers over Scarborough Shoal in Direct Rebuke to Philippine 'Exercise Zone'
China’s Southern Theater Command conducted sea-air combat-readiness patrols over Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) on 31 January, publishing routes that included H-6K bombers and fighters. Beijing framed the flights as both a rejection of Philippine-declared exercise zones and a demonstration of de facto control, raising the stakes in a long-running dispute with Manila.
Close Encounters Over the South China Sea: US MQ‑4C Patrols and Beijing’s Firm Response
US MQ‑4C Triton drones flew repeated reconnaissance missions near Taiwan, Guangdong and Hainan between Jan 25–28, prompting Chinese military aircraft to intercept and drive them off. The encounters underscore the information‑war advantages of persistent ISR and the rising risk of miscalculation in the crowded airspaces of the western Pacific.
China’s Southern Military Turns Cross‑Domain Joint Drills into a Routine Tool to Harden Forces
China’s Southern Theatre Command is institutionalizing cross‑domain joint drills—linking sea, air and land units through integrated command systems and realistic scenario training—to harden wartime readiness. The routineization of such exercises boosts the PLA’s coordinated response but raises risks of faster escalation and complicates regional security calculations.
China and Philippines Hold Quiet Sea Talks in Cebu, Pledging Continued Diplomatic Channels
Senior Chinese and Philippine diplomats met in Cebu on January 29, 2026 to discuss maritime and other shared issues, agreeing to maintain diplomatic communications. The talks reflect a mutual interest in managing tensions in the South China Sea, though no specific agreements were announced.