Manila accuses China’s coastguard of firing a water cannon ‘in an illegal though unsuccessful attempt’ to force Philippine ships to alter course.

China’s focus on versatility, such as autonomous vehicles and AI-equipped weapons, is in contrast to weapons designed for asymmetrical warfare. The US also sees technology as a way to shape the parameters of a potential conflict.

Chinese coastguard spokesman insists it ‘took the initiative to retrieve the blocking facilities and resume normal control on September 23’.

At Scarborough Shoal, some 900km away from the nearest major Chinese land mass, China’s coastguard ships regularly chase Filipinos away from a fishing ground that’s fewer than 240km west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon.

Manila earlier said action would be taken ‘to protect the rights of our fishermen in the area’, while Beijing defended the cordon, saying ‘necessary measures’ were taken after boat ‘intruded’.

Fishing boats joined a coastguard vessel in a recent confrontation with the Philippines near Second Thomas Shoal, the latest example of grey zone tactics.

China’s ‘temporary special arrangement’ allowing delivery of food and supplies to old warship seen as attempt to prevent international resistance and isolation from Southeast Asian neighbours.

Southeast Asian neighbours may look on with unease at recent incidents between Manila and Beijing, says academic.

Chinese president receives former Philippine leader in Beijing, telling him ‘I hope you will continue to play an important role in the friendly cooperation’.

China’s foreign policy chief Wang Yi hails completion of second reading phase during visit to Indonesia

It follows a similar move by Vietnam over a scene showing a map of the ‘invalidated nine-dash line’ that China uses to assert claims in the South China Sea.

Foreign ministers project solidarity as New Delhi joins Manila’s call for adherence to international law, including arbitration ruling against Beijing.

More of the Southeast Asian nation’s senators have thrown their weight behind a proposal to pursue UN intervention amid Beijing’s continued refusal to accept a 2016 arbitral ruling on the disputed waterway.

Del Rosario was behind the South China Sea case against Beijing at The Hague. In 2019, he filed a complaint against Chinese officials at the International Criminal Court alleging ‘crimes against humanity’.

China’s intense objections were voiced at the start of two-day talks aimed at assessing overall relations between the two sides amid thorny issues.

Academic says several major diplomatic incidents involving China – such as the South China Sea arbitration – were essentially legal issues, sparking the shift.