The Philippines and China have clashed again in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Sunday. This was the latest in a series of clashes around the strategic waterway, reports "Reuters".
The incident hampers efforts to better manage the disputes after months of confrontations.
On Sunday, the Philippines accused China of "aggressive and dangerous maneuvers" to block the humanitarian mission for Filipino fishermen. China's coast guard says it has taken action against a ship that "illegally" has entered the waters and repeatedly approached Chinese ships in a dangerous manner.
"These unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions pose a serious risk to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were supposed to serve," the Philippine task force said of Sunday's confrontation.
Manila reiterated its call on Beijing to stop "provocative actions that destabilize regional peace and security".
Treaty ally the US reaffirmed its support for the Philippines on Sunday.
"Dangerous, illegal and aggressive behavior by the PRC (People's Republic of China) disrupted a legitimate Philippine mission, putting lives at risk," US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson wrote on social media platform X.
Philippines can "make trouble" to another "Chinese" an island in the South China Sea. This was reported on Friday by the state-backed Chinese media "Global Times".
The claim comes after reports of a "provocative intrusion" of Philippine forces in the waters of two other reefs in the region.
The Philippines is expanding military infrastructure on Titu Island - or Zhonghua Dao, as Beijing calls it - to potentially attract warships and aircraft from countries outside the region, such as the United States and Japan, sabotaging peace and stability in the South China Sea, the nationalist tabloid said , citing Chinese experts.
Zhonggue Dao is part of Nansha Kundao, as China's Spratly Islands are known, but is "illegally occupied" from the Philippines, reported the "Global Times".
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and has deployed an armada of coast guard vessels to defend what it considers its territory. The International Court of Arbitration said Beijing's claim had no basis under international law.
The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei dispute China's territorial claims.
The Philippines holds nearly ten positions in the South China Sea, including Titu Island. Manila will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of its territory to make them more habitable for troops, Philippine Army Chief Romeo Browner said in January.
In the latest clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, Manila and Beijing have accused each other of ramming vessels and engaging in dangerous maritime maneuvers.