The Philippines accused China's coast guard on Tuesday of firing water cannon at government ships taking supplies to fishermen at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, but Beijing said its "control measures" followed the boats' intrusions in its waters.

The armed forces of the Philippines, the United States, and four other countries have begun joint naval exercises off the coast of the Philippines' northern Luzon, which borders Taiwan, according to Reuters.

The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act and Maritime Zones Act aim to bolster enforcement against unauthorised foreign vessels The Philippines is poised to approve a landmark law that designates specific sea and air routes for foreign vessels and aircraft within its archipelagic waters,

SUBIC, Philippines (Reuters) -- The armed forces of the Philippines, the United States and four other countries began joint naval exercises off the coast of the Philippines' northern Luzon island facing Taiwan in a display of naval strength amid rising tensions with China.

The Philippines accused Chinese maritime officials on Friday of carrying out an "unjustified assault" on Vietnamese fishermen in the contested waters of the South China Sea, adding its voice to a fraught dispute over the confrontation.

The Philippines and South Korea upgraded their ties as a response to growing geopolitical tensions in East Asia

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has an opening during this week's summit with regional leaders in Laos to step up Canada's efforts to help Southeast Asian countries facing escalating threats from China,