The Philippine president warns China not to cross a red line as their standoff in the South China Sea escalates.

The death of any Filipino citizen at the hands of another country in the South China Sea would be “very close” to an act of war, Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. warned Friday as his nation faces increasingly fraught clashes with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

By Joe Brock and Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr on Friday denounced illegal, coercive and aggressive actions in the South China Sea, a disputed ocean territory that China has been flooding with coastguard ships in recent months.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asserted his nation’s claims in the disputed South China Sea while taking pointed swipes at Beijing during a speech at Asia’s top security forum — with China’s delegation sitting in the audience.

The Philippines' president said that any attack by China that killed a Filipino citizen would be "very, very close" to an act of war.

Marcos was asked if a “red line” would be crossed if Chinese Coast Guard water cannons killed a Filipino sailor.

At the Shangri-La defense summit, the president of the Philippines discussed maritime tensions with Beijing over the South China Sea. Meanwhile, top US and Chinese defense officials held a rare meeting on the sidelines.