The Latest Breaking News from the South China Sea

Chinese and Philippine authorities traded barbs after their ships came close to collision in the South China Sea on April 23, in yet another sign of continued tensions over contested waters as both sides accused one another of intrusion and provocation.

US warns that attack on Philippine vessels or aircraft in the Pacific would trigger a defence response from Washington.

The United States urged China on Saturday to stop harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, pledging to stand with the Philippines after another maritime confrontation between the two Asian countries.

BEIJING: China said on Friday that a near-collision in the South China Sea between a Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists was caused by the latter’s “premeditated and provocative action”.

The Philippines on Friday accused China's coast guard of "dangerous manoeuvres" and "aggressive tactics" in the South China Sea, in another maritime confrontation between the two countries at a time of simmering geopolitical tension.

ABOARD THE BRP MALABRIGO: A Chinese coast guard ship cut off a Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists in the disputed South China Sea, causing a near-collision, an AFP team on board another boat saw.

A Chinese coast guard ship blocked a Philippine patrol vessel steaming into a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing a frightening near-collision in the latest act of Beijing’s aggression in the strategic waterway

The US continues to strengthen its military deployment in the South China Sea and is deliberately pushing up regional tensions, China's defense ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesperson Tan Kefei made the remark in response to media reports about a US-Philippines joint statement objecting to China's maritime claims and "provocative…

China's Maritime Safety Administration said on Wednesday that a military exercise will be conducted in some areas of the South China Sea on April 27 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. (0100 GMT to 0500 GMT). It gave no further information.

U.S. and Philippine armed forces unleashed a volley of missiles on a mock enemy warship in the South China Sea on Wednesday, in a show of military power and a strengthening alliance at a time of rising regional tension.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has insisted gas and oil exploration will continue despite objections by Beijing.