China, ASEAN agree to speed up consultations on South China Sea Code of Conduct

 China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed on Wednesday to speed up consultations on a Code of Conduct for the disputed South China Sea, the foreign ministers of China and ASEAN member Thailand said on Wednesday.

Philippines steps up drills with U.S., Japan forces near South China Sea

The Philippines will hold separate naval exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces this week on a Philippine island that is not far from the disputed Spratly archipelago, where China's rapid creation of seven island outposts is stoking regional tensions.

China says Vietnam cruise to South China Sea interferes with sovereignty

China said on Friday that Vietnam's offer to its citizens of a cruise to disputed South China Sea islands is an "interference" in China's sovereignty.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments at a regular news briefing.
(Reporting by Michael Martina, Writing by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Filipino activists protest China's island-building in disputed sea

More than 100 protesters in the Philippines have demanded that China stop its increasingly assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea, warning that they could target "Chinese economic interests" with their protests.

Vietnam, U.S. discuss military cooperation, South China Sea islands

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter discussed his call for an end to island-building in the South China Sea during talks on Monday with his Vietnamese counterpart, who told a news conference Vietnam had not been expanding its islands.

US hits out at China on sea reclamation at security summit

The United States on Saturday vowed to keep sending military aircraft and ships to disputed parts of the South China Sea and called for an immediate halt to reclamation works by Beijing in the tense region.

U.S. hopes Chinese island-building will spur Asian response

By releasing video of Beijing’s island reclamation work and considering more assertive maritime actions, the United States is signaling a tougher stance over the South China Sea and trying to spur Asian partners to more action.

China to extend military reach, build lighthouses in disputed waters

China outlined a strategy to boost its naval reach on Tuesday and announced plans for the construction of two lighthouses in disputed waters, developments likely to escalate tensions in a region already jittery about Beijing's maritime ambitions.

Taiwan offers South China Sea peace plan to avert "major conflict"

Taiwan proposed a peace initiative on Tuesday to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea that its says will reduce tensions that have put Beijing at odds with its neighbours and the United States.

China breaks ground on lighthouse project in South China Sea

China hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the building of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea, state media said on Tuesday, a move that is likely to escalate tensions in a region already jittery about Beijing's maritime ambitions.

China says U.S. South China Sea actions 'irresponsible, dangerous'

China said on Friday it was "strongly dissatisfied" after a U.S. spy plane flew over part of the South China Sea this week near where China is building artificial islands, and called on the United States to stop such action or risk causing an accident.