France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and accompanying warships are in the Philippines after holding combat drills with Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea in a show of firepower that will likely antagonize China.

Rising tensions in the South China Sea have made freedom of navigation exercises "even more important", France's ambassador to the Philippines said Sunday, as the nuclear-powered Charles De Gaulle made its first port visit to the country.

The visit of France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, follows joint combat drills with Filipino forces, a move likely to antagonise China.