Tensions between China and the Philippines over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea have escalated, with Beijing telling Chinese citizens in Manila to take precautions during upcoming anti-Chinese protests, Reuters reported. China and the Philippines have been locked in a stand-off over the contested Scarborough Shoal since last month. The Chinese embassy in Manila posted a warning on its website Tuesday telling Chinese expatriates and visitors to stay indoors on Friday, when it expects “large-scale” anti-China protests. Albert del Rosario, the Filipino foreign affairs secretary, said in a statement that the US reaffirmed its commitment to aid his country should conflict break out in the region, on the basis of a 1951 mutual defense pact. Separately, the US announced it would send a new class of coastal warship to Singapore next year for a 10-month deployment.