China said it took “control measures” on Monday against two Philippine coast guard ships that had entered waters near the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
The Chinese Coast Guard accused Manila of sending two ships to “illegally barge into waters near Xianbin Jiao”, using the Chinese name for the Sabina Shoal.
The ships “continued to dangerously approach normally sailing Chinese coast guard ships, inciting hype”, it said In a statement.
“The Chinese coast guard took control measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with the law,” it added.
Beijing claims most of the strategic South China Sea and has been involved in maritime confrontations with Manila in recent months, sparking fears of armed conflict that could draw in the United States, a Filipino military ally.
And multiple confrontations have taken place in recent days around the China-controlled Sabina Shoal, located 140 kilometres (86 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometres from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.
On Sunday, Beijing said a Philippine vessel had collided with one of its ships near the disputed shoal.
And the previous day, Manila accused China of recently firing flares at one of its aircraft as it patrolled over the South China Sea.
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