With U.S.-South Africa ties in the deep freeze, it was notable to see the sheer size of the U.S. delegation sent to this week’s Mining Indaba in Cape Town – one of the most prominent industry gatherings and one of the few where the Global South gets a prominent voice.
The Trump administration’s famous Afrophobia seems (momentarily at least) tempered by its greed for minerals. It is reportedly walking ...
Category: South China Sea
China Remains Undeterred in the Grey Zone
By Sean Mullins The final days of 2025 saw Taiwan surrounded by Chinese warships, aircraft and coast guard vessels in what the Chinese Ministry of Defense described as a serious warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and foreign interference. ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Philippines Says Communication Channels Still Open With Beijing on South China Sea
The Philippine foreign ministry said on Friday that it is maintaining open communication with China even as it strengthens cooperation with "like‑minded" countries that support its stance in the South China Sea. "Even as the DFA (foreign ministry) deepens alliances and ...
Philippines Says Takes Exception to China Embassy Comment on Job Losses
The Philippines takes "strong exception" to a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Manila that the simmering diplomatic spat between the two countries could result in the loss of millions of jobs, the foreign ministry said, adding that such comments could be seen as coercive.
Philippines Urges China to Keep Tone ‘Calm’ as Rhetoric Heats Up
The Philippine foreign ministry urged the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday to be "constructive" in its statements amid an escalating war of words between Chinese diplomats and public officials, including senators. The Department of Foreign Affairs' newly appointed maritime affairs ...
China Conducts Naval, Air Patrols Around Disputed South China Sea
China conducted naval and air patrols in the South China Sea from Monday to Friday, the China Southern Theater Command said in a statement on Saturday. "In an attempt to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the Philippine side roped in countries outside the region and ...
Philippines Aims to Wrap up Talks on South China Sea Code This Year
The Philippines said on Friday it will seek to accelerate long‑running talks on a South China Sea code of conduct to a conclusion this year as chair of the ASEAN regional bloc. Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told a forum in Singapore ...
China Conducts Naval, Air Patrols Around Disputed South China Sea Shoal
China conducted naval and air patrols around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday, the China Southern Theater Command said. The shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China also claims it as part of its territory.
Philippines, U.S. Hold Joint Sail in Disputed South China Sea Shoal
The Philippine and U.S. militaries sailed together at a disputed South China Sea shoal this week, Manila's armed forces said on Tuesday, performing joint exercises to boost interoperability between the two treaty allies. The joint sail was held in the Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea waters lying within the Philippines' ...
China and ASEAN Enter a Pivotal Year, With Trade, AI and the South China Sea in Play
As 2026 begins, the China-ASEAN relationship is evolving across several fronts, including trade, Artificial Intelligence, infrastructure development, and South China Sea. With the ASEAN's chairmanship held by the Philippines, the year opens with distinct political and institutional dynamics for the region. ...
China Says It Rescued Philippine Crew From Cargo Ship Near Scarborough Shoal
China and the Philippines said on Friday they launched rescue operations after receiving reports of a sinking cargo ship near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea that was carrying 21 Philippine crew members. Scarborough Shoal is one of Asia's most contested maritime features and ...
China Says It Drove Away Philippine Aircraft Over Disputed Scarborough Shoal
China’s military said on Tuesday it mobilized naval and air forces to warn and drive away a Philippine government aircraft it said “illegally intruded” into the airspace over the Scarborough Shoal, a contested South China Sea feature. Beijing urged Manila to halt what it called provocations; Philippine ...
Myth and Misperception: Does China Always Bully Its Neighbors Over Territorial Disputes?
In this edition of M&M, I want to discuss how China handled its territorial disputes with Vietnam. This is an important topic considering China and Vietnam currently have disputes over the Paracel and Spratly Islands, and that they once fought a war over the disputed land border ...
Taiwan Says Chinese Drone Made ‘Provocative’ Flight Over South China Sea Island
A Chinese reconnaissance drone briefly flew over the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top end of the South China Sea on Saturday, in what Taiwan's defense ministry called a "provocative and irresponsible" move. Democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, reports Chinese military activity around it ...