Amid rising tensions, the Philippines deployed ships to monitor China’s alleged construction of an artificial island in the South China Sea. China’s extensive land reclamation activities have sparked concerns. The Philippine coast guard observed Chinese vessels near the Sabina Shoal, investigating piles of dead coral. This move follows a call to expel Chinese diplomats over leaked discussions on the maritime dispute. The South China Sea is a hotspot for conflicting territorial claims, with $3 trillion in trade passing through annually. The Philippines seeks to assert its sovereignty in the face of China’s claims.