The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ordered a Chinese monster ship to leave as it sailed in Philippine waters.

Footage shows crew of the Philippine vessel BRP Cabra issuing a radio challenge to the gargantuan Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 seen lurking some 70 nautical miles off the Philippine main island of Luzon on January 5.

The 541-ft CCG 5901, which weighs a whopping 12,000 tons, was earlier spotted around 54 miles off Capones Island in Zambales province on Saturday afternoon.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: 'On its second day of patrol, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra continues to actively monitor the movements of Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901. The CCG vessel has been challenged regarding its illegal presence, emphasizing that it lacks the legal authority to operate within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.

'This radio challenge from the PCG is a response to claims made by the CCG vessel, which asserts it is conducting law enforcement duties within what it considers the jurisdictional waters of the People's Republic of China.'

He added that the PCG Islander aircraft has been deployed 'to document any potential incidents' in case of physical conflict with the monster ship.

American security analyst Ray Powell said the CCG 5901 was seen today still lumbering around 70 nautical miles from the Luzon coast.

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.