Investing in the national grid operator, partly owned by China’s State Grid Corp, boosts government control over critical power infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions.

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.