China’s foreign ministry on Tuesday (October 15) accused a Philippine ship of sailing "dangerously in waters under China's jurisdiction” and that it “seriously threatened” Chinese fishing boats in the disputed South China Sea.

"China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and stop any actions that might complicate the situation," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

In a statement issued late on Monday (October 14), the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries said a "Chinese maritime militia" boat had deliberately sideswiped one of its two vessels that were patrolling near Thitu island in the contested waters on Friday (October 11).

Chinese militia vessel sideswipes BFAR ship near Pag-asa Island

China and the Philippines have been at loggerheads over maritime claims and a succession of confrontations in the strategic waters, with Beijing claiming almost the entire South China Sea, including the Philippine-occupied island of Thitu.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China's sweeping claims were not supported by international law, a decision Beijing refuses to recognise. - report from Reuters