MANILA, Jan 4 — Two Chinese navy vessels shadowed Philippines and US ships conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea, the Philippine military said today, amid a recent flare-up of tensions in the region over disputed territories.

"We confirm the presence of two PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels from a distance shadowing the participants of the Maritime Cooperative Activity,” said Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the Philippine military’s public affairs office.

The two-day joint patrol was successfully completed today, the military added. — Reuters