Initiated by US President Joe Biden, it was only the second call between the two leaders since Biden took over from his predecessor Donald Trump earlier this year.

China’s army forces have "warned off" a US guided-missile destroyer from the South China Sea.

China has stressed its “indisputable” sovereignty over a series of islands in the South China Sea amid drills by the US and several other allies in an unprecedented show of force against Beijing.

The United States and its allies’ relations with China have grown increasingly tense over the past few years.

China decries US Vice President Kamala Harris's remarks on Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea.

China’s deputy UN ambassador has criticized the United States for “stirring up trouble” in the South China Sea, and trying to drive a wedge between the countries of the region.

The Indonesian military said the military exercise was to last until August 14.

India deploys warships to the South China Sea in what New Delhi proclaims to be a bid to expand security ties with “friendly countries” and in an apparent move to join and play a bigger role in a US-led scheme to counter China near Chinese territorial waters.

Germany deploys a frigate on a mission to the contested South China Sea for the first time since 2002, becoming the latest US ally to engage in such provocative deployments to the Chinese-claimed waters.

China’s military warns that it would take stern reaction against the UK if it does not “remain restrained and obey the rules” as a Royal Navy aircraft carrier sails through the South China Sea.