The Philippine defense chief condemned China's deployment of a swarm of armed coast guard forces, backed by a helicopter and a drone, closer to the Philippines' military outpost in a fiercely disputed atoll in the South China Sea.

The Philippines and Australia are working towards a new defence agreement to be signed next year, their defence ministers said on Friday, as both nations seek to step up military cooperation to deal with shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Footage shows a Chinese coast guard vessel chasing a Philippine boat and then ramming a Chinese warship. It was the latest confrontation in the contested waters.

Philippine military says there is an increase in Chinese vessels, including coastguard and militia ships, near shoal.

Australia’s defense minister and his Philippine counterpart are to meet in Manila for talks that will spotlight their concern over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea

The Philippines and Australia are willing to deepen their defense ties through an agreement, the two nations' defense chiefs said Friday.

China and the Philippines are trading blame over an incident earlier this week in which two Chinese ships collided in the South China Sea, where both nations have competing territorial claims.

Philippine authorities said Monday's accidental collision resulted in visibly heavy damages to the Chinese coast guard and navy ships and possible injuries.

Three Chinese boats mounted with armaments were deployed as the China Coast Guard (CCG) held a water cannon exhibition in another show of aggression in the West Philippine Sea, this time in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal,