Southeast Asian countries seek to maintain ties with China while safeguarding maritime sovereignty.
In a rare protest Beijing said Hanoi has been constructing on ‘illegally-occupied’ Spratly islands and reefs.
Journalists on the Philippine government plane photographed the encounter in the airspace over Scarborough Shoal.
A former senior Chinese official said Manila shouldn’t be allowed to take disputed shoals.
Tensions loom as Canberra issued an alert about Chinese warships near Australia.
Tokyo and Jakarta also eye joint development of a naval ship as Japan widens maritime cooperation.
Experts weigh the pros and cons of Hanoi’s ambitious island-building program.
The port call comes after exercises with the US Navy and maneuvers near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
China said the activity undermined regional peace, stability.
Chinese coast guard ships have stayed for a month in Manila’s exclusive economic zone, including Scarborough Shoal.
