The United States is not a party to the issue of the South China Sea and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday after Washington and Manila made unwarranted remarks against Beijing.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the United States' defense commitment to the Philippines in a conversation with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, discussing China's destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and the strengthening of economic and security cooperation within the region.

The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo discusses how his nation navigates tensions in the South China Sea, and how he expects Manila-Washington ties to develop under the incoming Trump administration,

UNITED States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said China's behavior in the South China Sea undermined regional peace and stability and is inconsistent with international law. Rubio made the statement when he spoke with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Washington Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

New U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, emphasized America's steadfast defense commitment to the Philippines amid China's controversial actions in the South China Sea. Following President Trump's return to office,

The regional bloc ASEAN and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding,

Southeast Asian foreign ministers are gathering for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc’s new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Observers welcome Rubio’s statements that they say indicate continuity in US policy and ‘more robust support’ for Manila in South China Sea row.

In a call with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Rubio “underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty,” US Department of State spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have affirmed the strength of their respective countries’ alliance and the United States’ “ironclad commitment” to the Philippines.

Donald Trump said he would impose high tariffs and further sanctions on Russia if it continued its "ridiculous war".