Bangkok: Australian military personnel, including special force commandos, are taking part in three-nation war games near the flashpoint waters of the South China Sea that have riled China.

China's state newsagency Xinhua warned "outsiders" against interfering in South China Sea territorial disputes as the 12-day exercises got underway in the Philippines.

US and Philippine military officers stand at attention during the entrance of the colours at the opening ceremony of the annual joint US-Philippines military exercise. Credit:AP

Xinhua warned that tensions in the region have risen to a "tipping point" and "some specific nations take delight in sowing seeds of discord between China and rival claimants, and boosting their military presences and patrols to thwart China in the name of safeguarding the freedom of navigation."

"However, a provocation so fear-mongering and untimely as such is likely to boomerang on the initiators," Xinhua said.