China has approved the construction of a deep-sea research facility in the South China Sea to support marine exploration. The station is claimed to be one of the deepest and most technologically advanced underwater installations globally,

While Russia's war against Ukraine and a wavering transatlantic alliance drew the world's attention at this year's Munich Security Conference, sparks also flew over claims in the Sea as debate involving participants representing Beijing and Manila dug into their positions in the region.

China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading "false narratives", though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.

Philippine and Chinese officials argued over their claims in the South China Sea during a roundtable discussion at the 61st Munich Security Conference in Germany on Sunday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippines is steadfast in defending the

"All countries are expected to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in and above international sea lines of communication, such as the South China Sea, and to avoid interference in legitimate activities conducted in international waters and airspace," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, discussed “coordination on addressing China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea” and increased economic cooperation in a meeting in Munich on Friday,

The Philippines is stepping up efforts to strengthen its defence partnerships as tensions with China persist in the South China Sea. Manila is working to finalise defence agreements with Canada and New Zealand while also looking to expand joint military drills with the United States,