Spratly Islands
Coverage of Spratly Islands in the Nexus archive.
- Taiwan’s robodogs signal military shift to unmanned systems in rivalry with China
Taiwan's military is deploying robot dogs for surveillance in the South China Sea to reduce manpower needs and monitor Chinese activities. Experts highlight the regional shift toward unmanned systems, citing cost-effectiveness and scalability as key advantages. The technology includes reconnaissance drones, boats, and autonomous systems, with China also investing heavily in similar capabilities.
- Satellite imagery shows Philippine construction on two islands in disputed Spratlys
The Philippines is actively expanding military infrastructure on Thitu Island and Nanshan Island in the disputed Spratly Islands, including a runway extension and port construction to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea. The 1.5-kilometer runway extension, funded at 1.65 billion pesos, will accommodate F-16 fighter jets and is in response to Chinese escalations in the region. Satellite imagery confirms construction has been ongoing since early 2025.
- Filipino man tells RFA how he spied for China, military says there are more
A Filipino man in his mid-20s, identified as 'Danny,' was recruited into a Chinese espionage operation after responding to a fake job advertisement in 2024. He initially provided publicly available information about Philippine Coast Guard operations but was later coerced into stealing classified military data and providing vessel coordinates. The Philippine military has apprehended three Filipino nationals on espionage charges and warns of a growing trend of jobseekers being unknowingly recruited into Chinese spy schemes.
- Taiwan minister’s visit to Spratlys: a page out of China’s ‘gray zone’ playbook
Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling visited Taiping Island in the disputed Spratly Islands, overseeing exercises framed as humanitarian operations that included armed coast guard drills. The visit represents Taiwan's adoption of China's 'gray zone' tactics to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea without direct military escalation.
- Philippines Accuses China of Conducting Illegal Marine Research
The Philippines accuses China of conducting illegal marine research near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. A standoff occurred between Philippine Coast Guard personnel and China Coast Guard ships during a resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre, with both nations claiming the shoal and surrounding Spratly Islands.