China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership when President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing in 2022, just days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two countries carried out live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea in July.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the presence of a Russian submarine in the Southeast Asian nation’s waters is “very concerning” as its military vowed to continue safeguarding its maritime sovereignty.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday described as "very worrisome" the presence of a Russian attack submarine off the country's coast in the disputed South China Sea.

President Bongbong Marcos says the recent sighting of a Russian attack submarine in the West Philippine Sea is "very worrisome."

A Russian attack submarine was recently spotted in Philippine waters in a development which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said was “worrisome.”