Economic Planning Secretary Balisacan said there was no attempt to sideline Chinese investors even as the two nations increasingly engaged in diplomatic stand-offs.

Military commanders also suggest recorded material, played to selected media, was fabricated.

Emerging alliance expected to undertake more maritime exercises and provide greater security help to the Philippines in its South China Sea claims.

The proposed energy facilities could be used to power military bases on the Chinese-built artificial islands, Philippine official says.

Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos has no mandate to strike a deal with China, who may have been attempting to shift the blame to Manila, analysts say.

An island-retaking exercise in the far north of the Philippines appears to be in preparation for hostilities breaking out over Taiwan, observers say.

Manila’s ability to police its waters is determined by maritime capacity, not political will, so more investment in the navy is required, an analyst says.

The Philippines has played its cards right by signalling that it’s ‘willing to work with anyone’ for strategic advantage, analysts say.

The Fujian aircraft carrier’s maiden mission has been deliberately timed to coincide with US-Philippines military drills, analysts say.

The Chinese embassy in Manila had said China and the Philippines earlier this year agreed on a ‘new model’ for the Second Thomas Shoal.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a close Duterte ally, has initiated a hearing in which a former anti-narcotics agent claimed Marcos Jnr was a drug abuser.

US troops let loose dozens of howitzer shells as Filipino forces followed up with rockets and Javelin missiles, before the imaginary enemy was whittled down with machine-gun fire and artillery rounds.

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at how Asian nations have been making moves with an eye on the ever evolving relationship between China and the United States.

There is no easily identifiable off-ramp for Beijing and Manila on the Second Thomas Shoal, Douglas Paal, unofficial US representative to Taipei from 2002 to 2006, tells the Post.

Readers discuss China’s position on the South China Sea, and US action against student protesters.

Chinese embassy in Manila lauds ‘new model for management’ for Second Thomas Shoal supply missions ‘approved’ by Philippine chain of command’.

Madagascar, Ivory Coast and Nigeria were first on the itinerary for Tokyo’s top diplomat this week, as she also sought to push Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

US defence chief Lloyd Austin said the grouping would look at undertaking more maritime drills, as well as providing greater security assistance to Manila.

The two countries will discuss a visiting forces agreement, a month after French troops took part in the annual Balikatan exercises.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines says joint exercises show ‘China definitely wants Russia to be working with them and we see no reason why [Russia] wouldn’t’.

Officials emphasised that the live fire drill was not aimed at any specific nation, despite its proximity to the disputed waterways

Manila summoned the number two official at the Chinese embassy to protest Beijing’s use of water cannon against its vessels in the disputed Scarborough Shoal

Most analysts believe Trump would maintain the alliance to counter Beijing, but some said major shifts including a potential troop pull-out were possible