Chinese vessels allegedly harassed a Philippine Coast Guard ship during patrols in a disputed part of the South China Sea.

Footage shows a China Coast Guard vessel appearing to block the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua during a routine patrol in the contested Scarborough Shoal on February 11.

In a statement, the PCG said: 'Over the course of the nine-day patrol, the PCG vessel monitored the presence of four Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels with bow numbers 3105, 3302, 3063, and 3064. These CCG vessels shadowed the PCG vessel on more than 40 occasions, with the closest distance being 176 meters from its side.

'The CCG vessels performed dangerous and blocking maneuvers at sea against BRP Teresa Magbanua four times, with the CCG vessels crossing the bow of the PCG vessel twice, recklessly disregarding the 'Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea' (COLREGS) once again. Additionally, the PCG vessel observed the presence of four Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.

'Nevertheless, the PCG vessel professionally engaged both the CCG and CMM vessels through radio reiterating the clear and principled position of the Philippines in accordance with international law.'

Meanwhile, China claimed that its actions in the area were legal, saying: 'China requires the Philippines to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and stop maritime infringement activities. China will continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law.'

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.