# South%20China%20Sea
Latest news and articles about South%20China%20Sea
Total: 34 articles found
Tokyo Signs Logistics Pact with Manila, Deepening Military Ties and Raising Tensions over China
Japan and the Philippines signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement that will let their forces exchange supplies duty-free during joint operations, accompanied by Japanese security aid and coastal radar deliveries. Tokyo presents the pact as disaster-response and interoperability cooperation, but it also deepens military ties that could strengthen deterrence against China and raise regional tensions.
“Take Off and Fight”: Southern Theater Air Force Demonstrates High‑Tempo Readiness
State media footage of the Southern Theater Air Force’s high‑tempo drills showcased a ‘take off and fight’ readiness aimed at compressing scramble‑to‑engagement timelines. The exercises reflect broader PLA efforts to integrate platforms and shorten decision loops, with implications for deterrence, regional signaling and the risk of inadvertent escalation.
China Coast Guard Rescues Filipino Sailors Near Disputed Shoal, Underscoring Humanitarian Cooperation Amid Tension
Chinese coast guard vessels rescued 17 sailors after a cargo ship capsized near Huangyan Island; two died and four remain missing. Filipino survivors publicly thanked Chinese rescuers, and a formal handover to the Philippine coast guard took place on January 25, an episode that temporarily eases tensions in a disputed maritime area while carrying broader strategic implications.
China Hands Over 17 Rescued Seafarers to the Philippines, Signalling Humanitarian Cooperation at Sea
China publicly handed over 17 rescued seafarers to the Philippines, with footage highlighting the humanitarian handover. The episode underscores the potential for practical maritime cooperation to complement, but not resolve, broader territorial tensions in the South China Sea.
China Coast Guard Rescues and Hands Over 17 Filipino Seafarers Near Disputed Scarborough Shoal
The China Coast Guard rescued 17 Filipino seafarers after a cargo vessel capsized near Huangyan (Scarborough Shoal) on January 23, handing them to Philippine authorities on January 25. Two crew members died and four remain missing, and the operation highlights both humanitarian cooperation and the geopolitical sensitivities of conducting rescues in contested South China Sea waters.
China’s Southern Theater Steps Up Night-and-Weather Air Drills, Signalling Higher Readiness
State media reported that a Southern Theater Command aviation brigade conducted high‑intensity, cross–day‑and‑night, all‑weather flight training to hone round‑the‑clock combat readiness. The drills underscore China’s focus on continuous operational capability in strategically sensitive southern maritime approaches and function both as genuine training and as signalling to regional audiences.
Beijing Says Drone Flight Near Dongsha Was Lawful Training as Taipei Protests Incursion
Beijing says a PLA drone's flight within 12 nautical miles of Dongsha Island on January 21 was routine training and lawful, while Taipei condemned it as provocative and destabilising. The episode highlights the growing use of unmanned systems in cross‑strait grey‑zone operations and raises regional concerns about escalation and challenges to territorial norms.
Beijing Calls Drone Patrol Near Dongsha 'Legal Training' as Cross‑Strait Tensions Flare
Beijing defended a Southern Theater Command drone flight near Dongsha Island as legitimate training after Taipei said a mainland reconnaissance drone entered within 12 nautical miles, calling the action provocative. The incident underscores rising use of drones for signalling and surveillance amid unresolved sovereignty claims and heightens risks of miscalculation in the Taiwan Strait.
China's Southern Air Brigade Steps Up Day‑and‑Night Flight Drills as Training Tempo Intensifies
A Southern Theater Command air brigade staged multi‑batch, full‑element day‑and‑night flight drills to sharpen all‑weather combat capabilities, state media reported. The exercises underscore the PLA’s emphasis on sustained, integrated training and signal increased operational readiness in a strategically sensitive region.
China’s Southern Theatre Air Units Step Up Cross‑Day‑Night Flight Drills to Sharpen All‑Weather Combat Readiness
A PLA Southern Theatre aviation brigade has conducted intensive day‑and‑night flight drills aimed at sharpening all‑weather combat capabilities. The exercises highlight integrated training across pilots, support crews and systems, improving sustained operational readiness in a region of heightened strategic sensitivity.