Philippines asks neighbours to join case vs China

Manila: The Philippines is calling on Malaysia, Vietnam and other neighbours to join its legal challenge to China's massive territorial claim in the South China Sea.

Solicitor-General Francis Jardeleza said today Malaysia, Vietnam and two other governments could either join the complaint filed by the Philippines last year before an international tribunal or lodge their own cases against China.

Jardeleza says smaller countries can only have a chance to peacefully defend their territories against the Asian superpower in a legal arena.

China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims across the busy South China Sea.

The disputes have periodically erupted into dangerous confrontations, sparking tensions and straining ties.