Philippines establishes guard base to monitor Chinese ships in South China Sea

The Philippines has inaugurated a new coast guard monitoring base on an island in the disputed South China Sea.

As reported by AP, the country plans to expand joint patrols with the United States and Australia to counter China's actions in the region.

Tensions between Chinese and Philippine ships in the disputed waters have intensified this year.

The US has warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines if its forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. China has accused the US of meddling in an Asian dispute and sowing discord in the region.