China-Philippine relations

China and the Philippines have created such emergency telephone hotlines at lower levels in the past to better manage disputes.

A statement from the Chinese Embassy in Manila described a “temporary special arrangement” supposedly agreed to during a visit to Beijing by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos' warning is the latest sign of the escalating disputes between China and the Philippines in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

“China has been harassing Philippine resupply missions for more than a decade and has been steadily increasing the intensity of their coercive tactics for at least the last five years.”

The Philippines’ bold and creative moves to defy China provide a powerful example to the other Southeast Asian nations on how they, too, can resist Chinese interference.

The Philippines is becoming increasingly vocal about Taiwan, and Beijing is watching carefully.

Marcos's order came after the United States expressed public concern over environmental damage from the projects and the involvement of a U.S.-blacklisted Chinese company.

Beijing is paying close attention to the rapid developments in the Philippines-U.S. alliance, and China is not happy with what it sees.

Manila's coast guard has taken extra efforts to document and publicize assertive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea.

Marcos could be characterized as a middle ground between his predecessors – not as pro-U.S. than Aquino, but less pro-China than Duterte.

Although both sides have kept it low key, Chinese coast guard activities are continuing in areas claimed by Manila.

Alluding to the two countries' territorial dispute in the South China Sea, Marcos said he looks forward to discussing bilateral and regional political and security issues.