Fears of a Chinese plan to build a radar station on a disputed ocean outcrop have laid bare tensions in the Philippine government over President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign to woo Beijing.  

Enrique Manalo, the Philippines’ new foreign secretary, said on Wednesday his country had sought clarification from China over the purported plans. On Tuesday Mr Duterte’s justice minister warned that Manila would launch a formal protest against the proposal, which was announced by a regional Chinese official but has since been denied by Beijing. 

The rhetoric from Philippine cabinet ministers is tougher than the president’s own initial comments that his country could not stop China from pressing ahead with plans to build an environmental monitoring station on Scarborough Shoal.