South China Sea disputes

The agreement, which is designed to reduce tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, was the subject of immediate disagreement between Beijing and Manila.

Despite pledging to de-escalate tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, Beijing and Manila continue to exchange rhetorical fire.

The two sides say that the agreement marks a decisive step forward in their bilateral defense relationship.

The two sides pledged this week to de-escalate the situation after a June 17 clash at a disputed shoal in the Spratly Islands.

Will Manila request greater U.S. assistance in its ongoing stand-off with China at Second Thomas Shoal?

The country's top diplomat says that the country will pursue "confidence building measures," but is "not blind" to recent incidents in the South China Sea.

The diplomatic approach contrasts with China’s increasingly assertive actions to fortify its claims in the South China Sea.

The BRP Sierra Madre, a warship grounded on a shoal in the Spratly Islands, has become the focus of growing tensions with China.

The Philippine military has also released video footage of Monday's incident in the South China Sea, which injured eight Filipino sailors, one seriously.

After eight Philippine marines were injured in a melee with Chinese forces this week, some are questioning the response of Manila's foreign allies.

Is China's military the juggernaut some imagine, or a paper tiger like Russia's degraded armed forces? Either way, getting a definitive answer would be terrible for almost everyone.