China should recognise that the Philippines is an independent and sovereign state whose actions and decisions are driven entirely by national interest and not at the direction of other countries, Manila's foreign ministry said on Monday.

The Philippines asserts its independence in the South China Sea dispute, countering China's claims of external influence. Manila's foreign ministry emphasizes China's non-compliance with international law and reveals a transparency initiative involving journalists to highlight maritime actions.

Britain is concerned by China's "dangerous and destabilising" activity in the South China Sea, British foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday. "We are concerned by dangerous and destabilising activities by China in the South China Sea,