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Beijing claims the majority of the South China Sea but this is contested by other countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam. The US does not claim any parts of the strategic waterway but it opposes China’s position. In a speech yesterday at the Future of Asia conference, Rodrigo Duterte warned the waters will be a “flashpoint for trouble” until the issue is addressed.

The Filipino leader called for a code of conduct over the sea to be finalised between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Mr Duterte added that without a deal it risks other countries getting involved.

He said: “France, Britain, America are testing the waters. This is not a testing of waters of temperature. It is really testing who can fire the first shot.”

The Filipino leader also blamed China for almost wholly claiming the disputed sea.