South China Sea

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 Reciprocal Access Agreement allows Filipino and Japanese forces to enter the other’s territory for joint drills.

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

The "frank and constructive discussions” came two weeks after a major clash close to Second Thomas 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 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.

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."