Philippines criticizes China's new Coast Guard guidelines in the South China Sea as a provocation and international concern.

The Philippines has criticized China's new Coast Guard guidelines in the South China Sea, labeling them as a provocation and an international concern. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro believes these guidelines could escalate tensions in the region. The concerns stem from China's Ministry of Transport's release of new rules granting its Coast Guard broader authority to operate in disputed waters.