Most coverage of the South China Sea territorial disputes has understandably centered on China's assertiveness in pressing its territorial claim to the entire body of water. After all, using its notorious "nine-dash line" as justification,

China's activity in the contested South China Sea is "hindering" Filipino companies from exploring natural resources in the region, Philippines Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said during a talk at Chatham House in London on Tuesday.

A Chinese military helicopter flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday, in what observers said was the second incident of potentially catastrophic behavior by the People’s Liberation Army against foreign aircraft in a week.

A Chinese military helicopter edged dangerously close to a Philippine plane on patrol over the flash point Scarborough Shoal, an incident witnessed by The Japan Times.

A Philippine plane warned a Chinese military helicopter over the South China Sea that it was "flying too close," as tension between the U.S. ally and Beijing soars.

China has claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, claims that overlap with those of neighboring nations, including the Philippines, a defense treaty ally of the United States. Maritime forces of Beijing and Manila have frequently faced off and even clashed.

The Philippines and Japan pledged to enhance their defense alliance through training exercises, logistical activities, equipment transfers and intelligence sharing on Monday amid China’s assertive moves in the South China Sea.

China in turn accused the Australian plane of "deliberately" intruding into airspace over the disputed Paracel Islands,

Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, placing it in regular conflict with neighbouring countries including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

China accused Australia on Friday of deliberately provoking it with a maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea this week, saying the latter was spreading "false narratives", though Australia maintained its action adhered to international law.

Indonesia is one of the founding members of ASEAN and long served as its de facto leader, playing a crucial role in mediating regional crises. Analysts warned that its leadership in the group on the South China Sea issue would wane if it stopped championing international legal norms.

While Russia's war against Ukraine and a wavering transatlantic alliance drew the world's attention at this year's Munich Security Conference, sparks also flew over claims in the Sea as debate involving participants representing Beijing and Manila dug into their positions in the region.