After reports emerged in January that Chinese warships tracked a Canadian navy vessel passing through the disputed South China Sea, Chinese social media users began sharing a picture they falsely claimed shows the incident.

China should recognise that the Philippines is an independent and sovereign state whose actions and decisions are driven entirely by national interest and not at the direction of other countries, Manila's foreign ministry said on Monday.

The country and Canada are set to sign a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (Sovfa) after negotiations aimed at enhancing defence and security cooperation between the two nations, Manila's defence ministry said.

Whatever happens in the near term, it is obvious that there is a serious arms race occurring for dominance in the South China Sea.

The Philippine defense secretary said his country and its allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.

The Philippine defense secretary says his country and its allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.

France, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand—following Washington’s lead—have each staged war games or concluded alliances with Manila targeting China.