Philippines to 'stand our ground' in South China Sea dispute

Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser of the Philippines.

MANILA: The Philippines will "stand our ground" in a dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, a top security official said Friday (July 12), eight years after an international ruling against China in the territorial contest.

Tensions over the strategic waterway, a key passage for sea-borne trade, have soared in the past 18 months following a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships.