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.

Philippine fishing boats claimed they were harassed by China, labelling the incident as a "blatant disregard" of a regulation preventing collisions at sea.