The Philippines has turned down offers from the United States to assist operations in the South China Sea, after a flare-up with China over missions to resupply Filipino troops on a contested shoal, its military chief said.

Filipino troops will 'respond appropriately' against future harassment from Chinese coast guards at the disrupted Second Thomas Shoal,

China and the Philippines have held a crucial meeting to try to ease mounting tensions following their worst confrontation in the disputed South China Sea last month