China and the Philippines have each unfurled their national flags on tiny sandbars in the South China Sea, staking competing sovereignty claims in strategic waters seen as a potential flashpoint ...

THE CHINESE coastguard has seized control of a reef near a Philippine military base, threatening to inflame tensions in the disputed region. Four Chinese coastguard officials dressed in black were ...

hold the Philippine flag as they visit Sandy Cay 2 at the South China Sea on Sunday April 27, 2025. (National Task Force West Philippine Sea via AP) ...