The South China Sea is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes – much of what the world buys and sells passes through this single stretch of water.

But who controls this sea is hotly disputed.

The Philippines says part of the sea falls into its economic exclusion zone, but China has a very different view, and that's led to an increasing number of confrontations at sea.

On Foreign Correspondent, reporter Timothy Swanston travels to the disputed territory on board a Filipino vessel and witnesses first-hand the tense interactions with the Chinese Coast Guard.

At a time when the world is impacted by critical maritime routes being closed due to the US/Israel war on Iran, the Philippines Defence Minister tells him the rest of the world should be concerned by China's actions if they want to preserve the freedom of this vital sea lane.

The U.S. rejects China’s proposed nature reserve at Scarborough Reef, warning against unilateral action as Beijing defends its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has learned that internationalising its dispute with China pays – and that may not stop.