Explainer
South China Sea
The South China Sea has become a major geopolitical flashpoint involving China's maritime claims, confrontations with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian states, and increasing involvement by the United States and allies. The dispute affects freedom of navigation, global trade routes and the risk of a wider military escalation in the Indo-Pacific.
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History from the archive
Live dossierNepal’s mudslide wiped out areas of eastern China, army helps search
China has dispatched hundreds of military personnel to the border town of Gyirong in Tibet, after a deadly mudslide.
Source confidence: medium
Al Jazeera - All News
Japanese minister visits shrine to war dead, angering China, South Korea
Defence Minister Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine comes on the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII.
Source confidence: medium
Al Jazeera - All News
China and Egypt launch second joint air force exercise
The exercises reflect growing defense ties between Beijing and Cairo as both countries expand military cooperation through joint training and strategic exchanges.
Source confidence: medium
Africanews - Latest
Philippines drug war victims seek justice through truth commission
Families of drug war victims testify before the Truth Commission, seeking answers and closure after years of silence.
Source confidence: medium
Al Jazeera - All News
Has the U.S. lost its dominance to China?
Beijing may be benefiting from the war in Iran and Trump's tariffs and has an edge in the competition for tech supremacy. The New Yorker 's Evan Osnos discusses his story "The Future, Made in China."
Source confidence: medium
NPR - World
Joan saw her dad die during the Philippines' drug war. Her family fears what could happen next
Former president Duterte's crackdown led to an ICC warrant and his arrest. But the ghosts of his drug war still haunt many Filipinos.
Source confidence: medium
SBS News - World
Australia to warn China it won’t be bullied by ‘provocative‘ actions as it builds military and nuclear arsenal
Foreign minister Penny Wong will deliver speech criticising China’s recent launch of a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Penny Wong will warn China that Australia and other neighbouring nations will not be bullied by its “provocative” actions, after its involvement in another “destabilising and dangerous” incident this week. The foreign affairs minister – who will deliver the address on ...
Source confidence: medium
The Guardian - World
US targets China in move to ban military-grade drone imports
Proposed rules would have US regulator block the entry of swarm-capable drones, mainly from China.
Source confidence: medium
Al Jazeera - All News
'Strong concerns': Australia meets with China following ballistic missile test
Penny Wong reiterated the importance of transparency to her Chinese counterpart.
Source confidence: medium
SBS News - World
Trump alleges China meddled in 2020 election and questions voting security ahead of midterms
China said Trump's claims were fabricated and US Democrats said he was paving the way to undermine November's elections.
Source confidence: medium
BBC World
China and Xi Jinping seen more favourably than the US and Trump in poll of major countries
Global views appear to have flipped in Beijing’s favour, driven in part by tensions between the Trump administration and US allies, a new Pew survey shows The world has largely viewed the US more favourably than China for years, but those opinions have flipped in Beijing’s favour this year, according to a new poll from the Pew Research Center , a remarkable shift driven in part by tensions between the Trump administration and US allies. More people have fa...
Source confidence: medium
The Guardian - World
China economic growth falls sharply, missing target
Weak demand domestically and the impact of the Iran war on oil prices overshadowed the country's strong exports.
Source confidence: medium
BBC World
China detains US scientist who studied North Korea nuclear tests
Chen Youlin's family says he has been wrongfully detained for nearly two years on spying charges.
Source confidence: medium
BBC World
China test-launches a ballistic missile in the South Pacific and raises regional concerns
The launch, using a dummy warhead, took place the same day Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defense treaty meant to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. This event card combines 2 sources; each original remains available below.
Source confidence: strong
NPR - World, Sky News - World
China tests long-range missile in South Pacific in move Australia condemns as ‘destabilising to region’
Launch comes just hours after Australia and Fiji sign defence agreement as expert says timing not a coincidence China has conducted a long-range missile test in the South Pacific just hours after Australia signed a defence agreement with Fiji, sparking condemnation from Canberra and regional leaders. The Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the missile test was “destabilising” to the region, while her New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, descr...
Source confidence: medium
The Guardian - World
China missile test draws criticism from Australia, New Zealand, Japan
Countries raise concerns after Chinese military test-launches ballistic missile from submarine in the Pacific Ocean.
Source confidence: medium
Al Jazeera - All News
China carries out ballistic missile test hours after warning neighbouring countries
China carried out a long-range ballistic missile test in the south Pacific on Monday, sparking criticism from New Zealand and Australia.
Source confidence: medium
Sky News - World