Philippines claims disputed area with a marker.

The Philippines has placed navigational buoys around the Spratly Islands, challenging Beijing's alleged sovereignty over the area. Five buoys bearing the country's national flag were placed in Manila's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and marked the "critical areas" of Patag Island, Kota Island, Panata Island and the Balagtas and Juan Felipe reefs. China has dredged the seafloor to create artificial islands and deployed hundreds of vessels in the disputed areas. The Philippines has forged closer ties with the US since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office last year, but Chinese officials have warned that strengthening defense ties with Washington will lead to geopolitical strife.