VIENTIANE: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos challenged Chinese Premier Li Qiang over recent clashes in the South China Sea at regional summit talks on Thursday (Oct 10), as fears grow that conflict could erupt in the disputed waterway.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will represent the United States at summits with Asian leaders in Laos this week and expects to discuss human rights in Myanmar, China's "irresponsible" behavior in the South China Sea and Ukraine,

The US secretary of state is expected to raise both topics in Laos this week, highlighting China's actions in each US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will continue to raise Beijing's actions in the South China Sea and the US concern over its alleged support for Russia's war in Ukraine when he attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos this week.