The Chinese and Russian navies have launched a joint military exercise in the South China Sea in an apparent bid to keep the US and the Philippines in check. In response, Manila says it's keeping a close eye on Beijing's latest moves in the disputed waters.
China and Russia kicked off a three-day drill on Monday in the waters around the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.
China's defense ministry says the participating fleet includes a missile destroyer and two frigates. Russia's defense ministry says two corvettes are taking part. It also says the two navies will conduct air defense, anti-submarine and other drills.
This comes after the two countries' leaders signed a joint statement in May to deepen military cooperation, such as expanding the scale of joint military drills.
A Philippine navy spokesperson, Roy Vincent Trinidad, said in a news conference on Tuesday that it's closely monitoring the China-Russia exercise.
He said: "The recently conducted exercise in the Philippine Sea was beyond our exclusive economic zone. Nevertheless, we monitor them and we are aware of their activity being conducted."
China continues to flex its muscles in contested waters in the South China Sea. In recent months, Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly fired water cannons at Philippine ships and blocked supply missions to a military outpost.
Earlier this month, Philippine and Chinese diplomats agreed to de-escalate tensions in the sea. Manila has said they plan to continue dialogue to seek mutually acceptable solutions, but significant differences remain.