South China Sea disputes

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.

Over the past six months, the country has reclaimed almost as much new land as it did in the previous two years combined, closing the gap with China's "island fortresses."

Public attitudes toward China in the Philippines have dipped considerably as tensions have increased in the South China Sea.

The country's military chief claims that the incident saw Chinese boats come within five meters of the Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

U.S.-led Freedom of Navigation operations have dropped off in the South China Sea, at the same time as China has intensified its coercive actions in the region.

The annual ban comes at a time of growing tension between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea.