China told the Philippines on Wednesday, January 22 that it should cease spreading groundless accusations about the recent arrest of a Chinese national alleged to have engaged in espionage activities in Luzon.

The 540-foot coast guard cutter has been operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone for over three weeks.

Military bases jointly operated by U.S. and Philippine forces were among the sensitive sites where the car allegedly collected data.

A Philippine security official says China is “pushing us to the wall” with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea and warned that “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits.

The Philippines and China agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate despite their disagreements in the South China Sea, their foreign ministries said on Thursday, as heated rows persist over vessels deployed around disputed features.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday deployed new assets to watch over China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). PCG Spokesperson

The regional bloc ASEAN and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding,

The government of the Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the “escalatory actions” of Chinese government vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea, accusing the nation of violating international law.

There will always be border disputes in Asia, and China should not be singled out because of tensions in the South China Sea,

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in mid-2022, the Philippines has aggressively defended its territorial interests in the South China Sea, a key global trading route.

China’s relations are starting to improve with Japan, India and other countries that former U.S. President Joe Biden courted, just as Donald Trump brings his more unilateralist approach back to the White House.

China's navy has commissioned a new-generation frigate as competition rises with the US and other regional powers, saying the ship will "play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness" of its forces.