Philippine navy officials come ashore on a disputed island in the South China Sea -- and are warmly welcomed by their counterparts from the navy of Vietnam.<br/> <br />It was an unusal show of comity on a plot of land they both claim in an area that's been fraught with tension over many overlapping and competing claims from half-a-dozen countries<br/> <br />The get-together on Southwest Cay in the Spratlys Islands demonstrates the growing cooperation between Manila and Hanoi to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the region.<br/> <br />The two navies faced off on the sports fields for a day-long event. They each fielded teams for a volleyball match as well as a soccer showdown, and put on cultural shows.<br/> <br />Officials said their also shared information on maritime security, natural disaster warnings and search-and-rescue operations.<br/> <br />The Philippine officials said they would hold a similar event next year.
