A China Coast Guard ship sprayed water cannon on a Filipino vessel to allegedly block it from doing humanitarian mission in disputed territory.

Footage shows powerful pressure of water pouring outside a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) BRP Datu Sanday vessel in Escoda Shoal on August 25.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese ship with bow number 4103 employed the water cannon while those with bow numbers 21551 and 21555 rammed and damaged the BFAR's vessel.

He said: ‘We can fairly say that this is the first time that we were able to see such a large number of Chinese coast guard vessels blocking the BFAR.

‘Because as we know, in our past operations in Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal, the number of Chinese coast guard vessels has been increasing.'

Philippines authorities said the BFAR ship was distributing diesel, food, and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen when the Chinese Coast Guard encircled and blocked it.

A total of eight Chinese maritime forces allegedly participated in the chase, which damaged the engine and navigational equipment of BRP Datu Sanday.

Expansionist 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.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.