The Philippines says it has contingency plans to counter China’s actions including filing a diplomatic protest against Beijing.

Claims that the alleged deal was already in place before Duterte’s term are meant to shift the blame to former leader Benigno Aquino III, observers say.

Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos admits talking to a Chinese military attaché on ways to reduce maritime tensions, but insists he has ‘not compromised’ the country’s territorial integrity.

A Chinese think tank says Vietnam has reclaimed more land in the Spratly Islands over the past three years than in the previous 40 years.

Peer-reviewed paper recommends tunnelling under three artificial islands in the disputed Spratly chain to ease crowding.

The Chinese coastguard earlier said it would detain any foreign nationals for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea.

In a televised interview, Guo revealed that she was an abandoned child of a man who was a Chinese citizen and a domestic helper.

Analysts say Beijing’s claims about an alleged deal on the South China Sea are likely a form of psychological manipulation aimed at breaking the Philippines’ resolve.

Southeast Asia welcomes India’s presence ‘with open arms’, New Delhi-based observers say – though there’s always a risk such military posturing could provoke an aggressive Chinese response.

Philippine officials said on Monday they were ‘alarmed’ by Chinese activities at Scarborough Shoal, which Manila has accused Beijing of destroying.

Philippine lawmakers and officials are protesting against a new policy allowing China’s coastguard to detain suspects from next month.

Observatory issues thunderstorm warning at 6.40pm on Sunday; expected to stay in force until 12.30am.

Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jnr will replace Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos as chief of the Western Command on Palawan island.

The Philippine president told military graduates Manila faced ‘a blatant disregard of internationally accepted principles’.

Hong Kong Observatory says rainfall likely to reach its heaviest on Monday, but showers will continue throughout coming week.

The project will see the construction of military barracks and other infrastructure aimed at countering China’s activities in the disputed waters.

Activists and analysts expressed concern the deployment of the Typhon mid-range missile system could provoke retaliation from Beijing.

Ely Ratner, US Defence Department’s chief for Indo-Pacific security, expresses “serious concern” in video link with Major General Li Bin of China’s Central Military Commission.

A senator claimed Chinese diplomats might be expelled if an investigation found they had violated the country’s anti-wiretapping law.

Regulation stipulates that foreigners suspected of illegally crossing China’s borders can be held for up to 60 days without trial.

Organisers said they managed to deliver supplies to Filipino fishers despite ‘China’s massive blockade’.

US commonly sends representatives to the ceremony, but Lai’s ascension to Taiwanese presidency on May 20 comes during unusually tense relations with China.

Coastguard tells state broadcaster that regular law enforcement activities were carried out in area.

Increased patrols come after discovery of crushed corals near Sabina Shoal, as analyst says the move shows Manila is preparing for potential escalation of tensions.

Nearly 40 officers from the Philippine armed forces took part in a military exchange programme with China that started from 2008.

A coastguard boat escorted the flotilla carrying supplies to Filipino fishermen in the China-controlled reef.

The Beijing-based Grandview Institution says Hanoi ramped up island expansion in the South China Sea from 2021 using large dredgers.