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.

China has called on the United Kingdom to respect its interests in the South China Sea and avoid provoking tensions in the region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning made the call on Tuesday.

China has accused the Philippines of polluting the environment after it released footage it said showed troops burning rubbish at a disputed reef in the South China Sea. The video, published on social media by state broadcaster CGTN on Saturday,

British foreign minister David Lammy yesterday condemned the ‘dangerous and destabilising’ actions in the disputed waters.