Chinese coast guards hounded Philippine government vessels which were on a resupply mission to a disputed atoll amid rising territorial tensions in the South China Sea.

Chinese ships allegedly tried to chase and block the Philippine crew that were headed to the Second Thomas Shoal - also known as Ayungin Shoal or Renai Reef - on Friday, September 8.

The Philippine vessels were bringing supplies to soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel intentionally grounded by the Philippines to lay claim to the shoal back in 1999.

China said the Philippines' two supply boats and two escort boats had entered without permission from the Chinese government. Multiple China Coast Guard ships were reported to have surrounded and approached the Philippine ships before letting them pass.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has condemned the confrontation, describing it as 'illegal' and 'dangerous'.

PCG Spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a statement: 'The routine rotation and resupply mission was again subjected to dangerous maneuvers by the four China Coast Guard (CCG 21616, CCG 21551, CCG 21556, and CCG 5305) and four Chinese Maritime Militia (QIONG SANSHA YU 00231, QIONG SANSHA YU 00115, QIONG SANSHA YU 00114, and QIONG SANSHA YU 00008), jeopardizing the crew members' safety aboard the PCG vessels and Philippine resupply boats.

'Despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the illegal presence and activities of the CCG and CMM in our exclusive economic zone, the mission was carried out successfully. The much-needed supplies were delivered to our dedicated troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre.'

The PCG also urged the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia to 'immediately cease any illegal activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines'.

The incident comes just a month after Chinese vessels blasted another Philippine boat with a water cannon during an earlier resupply mission on August 5.

China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.