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.

The Philippines alleges Chinese activities, including dredging, coral harvesting, and the construction of artificial islands, have caused significant and irreversible damage to coral reefs and marine biodiversity. China has accused the Philippines of causing damage to the Second Thomas Shoal by intentionally grounding a warship there in 1999.

The 540-foot coast guard cutter has been operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone for over three weeks.

Philippines' Exercise Near Disputed Shoal Amid Standoff With China| Vantage With Palki Sharma | N18G The Philippines' Navy is holding drills around Scarborough shoal in South China Sea. The Navy has described the drill as a two-day long "routine unilateral exercise".

The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of intimidating its fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal, and normalising an "illegal presence", after Beijing sent its largest coast guard vessel into Manila's maritime zone.

Beijing and Manila have agreed to continue talks on settling their territorial differences despite Philippine protests about the presence of a Chinese "monster ship" near the contested Scarborough Shoal.

Military bases jointly operated by U.S. and Philippine forces were among the sensitive sites where the car allegedly collected data.

The Philippines and China agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate despite their disagreements in the South China Sea, their foreign ministries said on Thursday, as heated rows persist over vessels deployed around disputed features.

Manila would be able to raise South China Sea-related issues that could ‘embarrass’ Beijing and nudge it into a compromise, analysts say.

The Philippines is preparing to take legal action against China for alleged environmental damage in the South China Sea. The south east nation seeks compensation for harm to coral reefs and marine life.

France's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is to visit the Philippines next month, the French envoy to Manila said Thursday, signaling a deepening security cooperation between the two countries.