Former Chinese deputy foreign minister Fu Ying says Beijing will not accept occupation of a World War II-era ship that Manila grounded in the area.

China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading "false narratives", though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.

China claims Australia provoked an incident on Tuesday where a Chinese fighter jet released flares in front of an Australian military plane in the South China Sea.

US think tank report says Washington can initiate 'virtuous cycle of de-escalatory steps' to reduce risk and help Manila bolster its lawful claims The United States should avoid a frontal military role in countering Beijing's actions in the South China Sea and instead enable the Philippines to take the lead,

Australia has raised concerns with China over what it said on Thursday were "unsafe and unprofessional" actions by a Chinese fighter jet towards an Australian maritime patrol in the South China Sea two days earlier,

China in turn accused the Australian plane of "deliberately" intruding into airspace over the disputed Paracel Islands,

China has approved the construction of a deep-sea research facility in the South China Sea to support marine exploration.

"All countries are expected to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in and above international sea lines of communication, such as the South China Sea, and to avoid interference in legitimate activities conducted in international waters and airspace,

Australia said Thursday that a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares near an Australian air force plane patrolling the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of “unsafe” military conduct. Beijing swiftly hit back,