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 ships and a helicopter harassed and pushed back on Friday two Philippine fisheries vessels that were on their way to the Kalayaan Island Group to conduct scientific survey, the Philippine Coast Guard reported yesterday.

Analysts say the agreement 'commits both states to a status quo' and urge the Philippines to hold firm on its South China Sea stance In a rare moment of accord amid their simmering feud over the South China Sea,

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila and condemned Beijing for its "dangerous and destabilising" actions in the Sea, in his first phone call with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

A Philippine security official says China is “pushing us to the wall” with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea and warned that “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits.

The United States is not a party to the issue of the South China Sea and has no right to interfere in maritime issues between China and the Philippines, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday after Washington and Manila made unwarranted remarks against Beijing.

Beijing and Manila have agreed to continue talks on settling their territorial differences despite Philippine protests about the presence of a Chinese "monster ship" near the contested Scarborough Shoal.

New U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed China's "dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea" with his Philippine counterpart on Wednesday and underscored the "ironclad" U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Chinas dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea during a call with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo, reaffirming Washingtons ironclad

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US remained committed to the Philippines' defense as tensions simmer with Beijing in the South China Sea.