China–Philippines relations

Diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Philippines were established in June 1975. Relations became closer during the Philippine presidencies of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte. However, they became more strained due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly following the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, after which China established de facto control over the shoal and the July 2016 arbitral tribunal found that China had violated the traditional fishing rights of Philippine fishermen. In 2013, the Philippine government under President Benigno Aquino III filed an arbitration case concerning China's maritime claims in the South China Sea.