Chinese coast guards on motorboats allegedly chased away Filipino fishermen collecting snails in the South China Sea.

Footage shows the Chinese state enforcers in life vests riding boats as they shouted at the Filipino trawlers who were diving near the contested Scarborough Shoal on January 12.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the fishermen were made to return the shells, while some were allegedly 'driven away' by the boat-riding Chinese coast guards.

PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela said officials have identified the fishermen involved and were questioning them about the incident.

He said in a statement: 'Mr. Jack Tabat from Zambales, has admitted that the video came from their boat, FB Legendary Jo. According to his statement, on 12 January 2024, Filipino fishermen who were collecting sea shells near the South entrance of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) experienced harassment from the China Coast Guard.

'The fishermen were instructed to return the shells they had gathered to the sea and were subsequently driven away.

'Mr. Tabat reported that there were five Chinese Coast Guard personnel on board a rubber boat who approached the Filipino fishermen. Four of them disembarked and chased after the fishermen.

'He also documented one Chinese Coast Guard personnel grabbing the fishing boat and preventing it from departing unless the fishermen threw back their gathered sea shells into the sea.

'Currently, the PCG is awaiting the arrival of the fishing vessel, which was subjected to the China Coast Guard's harassment. The PCG intend to gather testimonies from these fishermen as well.'

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.