The Philippines said on Saturday it has suspended a scientific survey in the South China Sea after two of its fisheries vessels faced "harassment" and aggressive behaviour from China's coast guard and navy.

Three Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships and a helicopter harassed and pushed back on Friday two Philippine fisheries vessels that were on their way to the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) to conduct scientific survey,

The Philippines has launched a comic book to counter what the country says is China’s disinformation campaign to push its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano and Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the South China Sea Jay Tarriela pose for a photo with a giant copy of the book "The Stories of Teacher Jun" during its launch at the National Library of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines, January 24, 2025. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

Two Philippine ships had to call off their scientific probe after Chinese vessels and a helicopter intercepted them near the Spratly archipelago, according to the Philippines' coast guard.

Chinese coast guard ships and a Chinese navy helicopter harassed a group of Philippine fisheries vessels conducting a scientific survey in a hotly disputed area of the South China Sea, forcing them to cancel the operation,

China's coast guard said the Philippines on Friday sent a civilian vessel to deliver provisions to its warship "illegally grounded" at Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea. The coast guard "questioned" and "monitored" the Philippine vessel throughout its supply mission,