The two countries will discuss a visiting forces agreement, a month after French troops took part in the annual Balikatan exercises.

Officials emphasised that the live fire drill was not aimed at any specific nation, despite its proximity to the disputed waterways

Manila summoned the number two official at the Chinese embassy to protest Beijing’s use of water cannon against its vessels in the disputed Scarborough Shoal

Most analysts believe Trump would maintain the alliance to counter Beijing, but some said major shifts including a potential troop pull-out were possible

Manila’s defence chief said the Philippines has a ‘range of options’ to counter China, signalling that he wants maritime operations to be ‘less telegraphic’.

Observers speculate the investigation is politically motivated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s ongoing feud with his predecessor.

Beijing’s latest confrontations with Tokyo and Manila over contested islands come as they strengthen maritime coalition with Washington.

Scrutiny cast on internet service providers, lax enforcement and a disturbing culture compounded by poverty.

Senior Colonel Zhou Bo shares his insights on global and regional challenges, based on long experience in military diplomacy.

Manila must know there is a ‘price to pay’ if it seeks second arbitration over Beijing’s claims, founding president of National Institute for South China Sea Studies tells symposium on 2016 ruling.

Calling Beijing’s claim ‘propaganda’, Defence Secretary Teodoro said Manila would never enter into any pact that would compromise its claims in the waterway.

Their manifesto criticises President Marcos Jnr’s South China Sea stance, claims China’s aggressive actions justified by his provocations

The government said it was investigating the spread of the manipulated video ‘seemingly asking the armed forces to act against another nation’.

Readers discuss Beijing’s dealings with Manila over their dispute in the South China Sea, and Moscow’s changing attitude to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Mohamad Hasan takes a veiled swipe at US-Philippines military cooperation during a meeting with China’s foreign minister in Beijing.

Manuel Mamba has been tossed out of office for illegally using public funds just as joint military exercises involving Manila and Washington take place in his province.

Marcos Jnr’s pro-US stance and measures to ‘elevate’ the Philippines have made him a ‘pivotal player’ on South China Sea issues among world leaders.

Marcos Jnr’s office says “no such directive exists” and Manila is working with various agencies to combat deepfakes.

While Philippines was absent from forum, members passed updated Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, a non-binding multilateral agreement.

The Philippine Navy says 124 Chinese vessels have been detected in the West Philippine Sea since the military drills began on Monday.

Washington has ‘seriously harmed’ Chinese interests with moves to suppress the country’s economy and trade, foreign ministry official says.

Almost 70 per cent of Filipino respondents in a survey said Congress should focus immediately on curbing rising commodity prices.

This year’s ‘biggest ever’ Balikatan exercises kicked off as Manila took delivery of a state-of-the-art missile system from India – and had hopes for US$2.5 billion in US military aid.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Chenda Sophea Sok tells Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that Phnom Penh opposes ‘troublemaking in the region by extraterritorial forces’.

Intelligence officers have been sent to investigate potential national-security threats in Cagayan, where about 4,600 Chinese students reportedly live.

The US$868 million Subic-Clark railway will link the former American military bases turned commercial hubs.

Next week’s iteration of the annual joint exercise will be the biggest and a clear signal to Beijing, observers say.