Confrontation, militarisation and US–China rivalry made for choppy waters in the South China Sea in 2025, complicating prospects for an ASEAN–China Code of Conduct.

Latest news on the South China Sea, including South China Sea conflict, South China Sea dispute, the Philippines, and China military updates.

1. What Happened? (The Facts)2. Why is the South China Sea so Important?3. US Objectives: Sending a Message4. China’s Response: The “Carrier Killer” Arsenal5. The Bigger Picture: US-China Relations6.

The Chinese Navy has “dramatically increased” submarine production and could soon deploy a new vessel that’s able to hit ...

Most of China's submarine fleet is diesel-electric, but Beijing is ramping up production of nuclear-powered classes.

China has rapidly built up its submarine fleet by making a technological U-turn to produce boats the U.S. hasn’t built in more than 65 years. More than half of the estimated 66 submarines operated by ...

The Philippines has become a focal point in the US-China strategic rivalry. Airbases across the islands could play a decisive role in regional military balance. Each side is positioning forces and ...

China's military activities and deployments in the South China Sea are often framed as part of its growing power projection capability, potentially a launch pad for its ambitions in the wider ...

China is engaged in a huge nuclear weapons expansion, growing the size and capabilities of its arsenal. At a time when the ...

Philippine Navy ship Jose Rizal leads maneuvers with U.S. Navy destroyer Shoup, center, and Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force frigate JS Noshiro, right, during joint drills in the South China Sea ...

MANILA, Philippines — Manila’s top envoy to Washington expressed confidence Tuesday that the United States will not abandon the Philippines as it fights Beijing's assertiveness in the disputed South ...