The Chinese Coast Guard blasted Philippine vessels with water cannons in the latest territorial flare-up in the South China Sea over the weekend.

Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows Chinese ships firing high-pressure streams at Philippine boats near the Scarborough Shoal in the contested waters on December 9.

The vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were on a mission to bring oil and grocery packs to dozens of Filipino fishing vessels some two nautical miles from the shoal when they were confronted by the Chinese maritime forces.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement that the Chinese Coast Guard had engaged in 'dangerous maneuvers', using the water cannons at least eight times while also deploying a 'Long-Range Acoustic Device' that caused 'severe temporary discomfort and incapacitation to some Filipino crew.'

Tensions further escalated on Sunday, December 10, as Chinese ships again blasted Philippine vessels on a routine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship used by the Philippines as an outpost in the disputed area.

Aerial footage shows the Chinese Coast Guard firing jets of water at the PCG's BRP Cabra vessel, as well as supply boats Unaizah Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan.

A collision had also occurred, with both sides trading blame over the incident.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a December 10 statement: 'We condemn, once again, China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Avungin Shoal that has put the lives of our people at risk. The systematic and consistent manner in which the People's Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question and significant doubt the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue.

'Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others. We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community.'

China rival United States, and the Japanese, Australian, New Zealand and European Union ambassadors to the Philippines, have expressed concern over China's actions, which they described as 'dangerous' and 'deeply troubling'.

Meanwhile, Gan Yu, a spokesperson for China Coast Guard said Chinese forces had taken 'control measures' against the Philippine ships. He said: 'China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren'ai Reef, and their adjacent waters.

'The on-site operations of the Chinese side are reasonable, lawful and professional.'

Communist 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.