Edgard Arevalo

Beijing has hit out at Manila for repairing a crumbling ship serving as its outpost in the disputed South China Sea, branding the Philippines as a "hypocritical troublemaker and rule breaker".

China on Wednesday condemned the Philippines for doing repairs to a rusting ship it ran aground on a South China Sea reef, demanding Manila remove the vessel while adding that Beijing "reserved the right to take further measures".

The Philippines and Japan will hold their second joint naval drills this year, the Filipino military said today, as the World War II foes deepen security ties while China aggressively develops islands in disputed waters.

Beijing has hit out at Manila for repairing a crumbling ship serving as its outpost in the disputed South China Sea, branding the Philippines as a "hypocritical troublemaker and rule breaker".

China on Wednesday condemned the Philippines for doing repairs to a rusting ship it ran aground on a South China Sea reef, demanding Manila remove the vessel while adding that Beijing "reserved the right to take further measures".

The Philippines and Japan will hold their second joint naval drills this year, the Filipino military said today, as the World War II foes deepen security ties while China aggressively develops islands in disputed waters.