1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections
Chinese coast guard and suspected Chinese militia vessel block the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal
Image: Joeal Calupitan/AP Photo/picture alliance

South China Sea conflict

Conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea have created a web of rivalries and acrimony between China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Skip next section News

News

April 22, 2024

US, Philippines kick off combat drills in South China Sea

April 12, 2024

Beijing condemns US-Japan-Philippines summit, summons envoys

April 11, 2024

US, Japan, Philippines hold summit amid China threat

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Filipino soldiers prepare for a combined field artillery live fire exercise.

US, Philippines launch naval drills in South China Sea

US, Philippines launch naval drills in South China Sea

The drills are the largest in years and come amid tension between Manila and Beijing after repeated maritime encounters.
ConflictsApril 22, 202402:54 min
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida review the troops

US, Japan military alliance to get biggest revamp since 1951

US, Japan military alliance to get biggest revamp since 1951

Washington and Tokyo plan to upgrade their defense ties to maintain security and peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
PoliticsApril 11, 2024
Philippine resupply vessel is hit by Chinese coast guard water canon blast

US, Japan and Philippines summit: What's next for Asia?

US, Japan and Philippines summit: What's next for Asia?

The meeting in Washington could give Tokyo and Manila a larger role in the Indo-Pacific, but questions remain.
ConflictsApril 11, 2024
Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4

US, Japan and Philippines to hold first alliance summit

US, Japan and Philippines to hold first alliance summit

US President Joe Biden is to brace potential security tensions with Japan and the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region
PoliticsApril 11, 202403:16 min
A Chinese Coast Guard boat sprays a water cannon at a Philippine boat near Second Thomas Shoal

How can EU support Philippines in South China Sea dispute?

How can EU support Philippines in South China Sea dispute?

Despite its condemnation of Chinese moves, the EU's position on coming to the Philippines' defense remains opaque.
ConflictsApril 1, 2024
Philippine coast guard personnel onboard an inflatable boat in front of the BRP Sierra Madre docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the disupted South China Sea

Can Manila diffuse tensions in the South China Sea?

Can Manila diffuse tensions in the South China Sea?

The Philippines is standing firm with China in its yearslong dispute over maritime territory in the South China Sea.
ConflictsFebruary 9, 2024
Show more
Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Chinese coast guard and suspected Chinese militia vessel block the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra

Decoding China: 'Wolf Warrior' diplomacy echoes US mistakes

Experts say China's increasingly assertive foreign policy is backfiring and hurting Beijing's image abroad.
ConflictsDecember 15, 2023
Boris Pistorius (left) sits at a long table with other delegates, with the German and Chinese flags between them

EU eyes greater Asia security role amid China tensions

During Asia's top security forum, the European Union pledged more engagement to preserve regional stability.
PoliticsJune 5, 2023
President Joe Biden meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in New York

How is the Philippines balancing ties with China and the US?

Operating in a "multipolar" world, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to put the Philippines first.
PoliticsFebruary 21, 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping

What is China's world order for the 21st century?

What is behind the China-US confrontation, and what kind of world order is Beijing aiming for? DW analyzes.
ConflictsJuly 29, 2020