"In line with the 2016 decision of the Arbitral Tribunal, they affirmed that Beijing's maritime claims are not valid under international law," the joint statement read.

Going ahead in Washington with annual talks despite the coronavirus pandemic, Australia's foreign and defense ministers offered clear, if more mildly stated, support for a hawkish shift on China by President Donald Trump's administration.

The Philippines is not “inutile” in asserting its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea even if President Duterte has admitted being helpless in checking China’s maritime encroachment, senators said yesterday.

Members of the opposition slammed yesterday President Duterte’s call to revive the death penalty and his statement that he was “inutile” and “cannot do anything” in the face of China’s aggression in the South China Sea, parts of which the Philippines also claims.