Philippine authorities said Thursday that they had arrested five Chinese citizens for alleged spying, a week after arresting another Chinese national in the midst of a territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.

Analysts say it the proposal was likely rhetorical rather than genuine, with little chance Beijing would ever take up such a deal.

Several Chinese coastguard vessels accused of making ‘aggressive manoeuvres’ towards Philippine fisheries boats.

Philippine security officials said Thursday they took into custody five more Chinese spies, following the arrest of a compatriot for espionage this month.

Investing in the national grid operator, partly owned by China’s State Grid Corp, boosts government control over critical power infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions.

MANILA: Philippine authorities are pushing for tougher anti-espionage laws, after the recent arrest of a suspected Chinese spy raised concerns over foreign intelligence threats to national security.

The Philippines has launched a comic book to counter what the country says is China's disinformation campaign to push its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Three Chinese Coast Guard ships and a helicopter harassed and pushed back on Friday two Philippine fisheries vessels that were on their way to the Kalayaan Island Group to conduct scientific survey, the Philippine Coast Guard reported yesterday.

The Philippines said on Saturday it has suspended a scientific survey in the South China Sea after two of its fisheries vessels faced "harassment" and aggressive behaviour from China's coast guard and navy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised China’s ‘dangerous’ actions towards the Philippines in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has launched an educational tool that it hopes will raise awareness about what it sees as its territory in the disputed South China Sea. Authorities said the comic book is intended to explain concepts related to the West Philippine Sea.