Manila has denounced the embargo that lasts till September and China’s threats to arrest trespassers as more civilian boats venture into the contested waterway.

Dong Jun and Lloyd Austin are set to hold talks during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Analysts see the meeting as positive, but say the two sides are likely to dig their heels in on issues like the disputed waterway.

The deal involves development of maritime capabilities through joint skills training, as well as research and information sharing.

About 86 per cent of Filipinos surveyed nationwide wanted their country to remain neutral in the event of a cross-strait conflict.

Influential billionaire Ramon Ang wants Manila to take advantage of untapped oil and natural gas reserves to east energy costs, despite maritime disputes with Beijing and the failure of previous joint deals.

Amid a looming US election, Jia Qingguo says tariffs against Chinese goods are more ‘political’, but tougher policies could be imposed under Donald Trump.

Leaders also pledge to cooperate on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, during trilateral summit in Seoul.

Beijing has deployed two vessels near Scarborough Shoal including the 165-metre China coastguard vessel dubbed “The Monster”.

Maritime authorities warn vessels to be on alert after drone comes down earlier this month.

The UAVs are part of Replicator initiative focused on overcoming the advantages of the People’s Liberation Army.

Whether Indonesia can maintain friendship with China amid ‘dramatic geopolitical changes’ will require ‘superb political wisdom’, Beijing-based foreign policy group says.

Local officials say they have contingencies in place since last year for massive refugee influx should full-blown conflict erupt in volatile area.

The pact allowing Manila and Tokyo’s defence forces to train in each other’s territories is expected to be signed next month.

Japan’s growing role as a security provider in Asia is necessary, with the US preoccupied with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, analysts say.

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.