The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it is continuing to push back a Chinese ship sailing near Philippine shores.

Video shows crew of the BRP Teresa Magbanua, the PCG's largest ship, sending radio challenges to China Coast Guard vessel 3304 some 115 nautical miles off Zambales province, on February 6.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: 'The PCG has vigilantly contacted the China Coast Guard vessel through radio, clearly stating that its presence constitutes a violation of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

'Despite challenging sea conditions, with wave heights reaching 3-4 metres, the BRP Teresa Magbanua has remained vigilant for over a week now. The PCG is dedicated to safeguarding the maritime rights of the Philippines, ensuring the safety of Filipino fishermen, enforcing international law, and working towards the de-escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea.'

China has been sending numerous coast guard vessels near the shores of the Philippines on maritime patrol since early January.

One of them is the massive CCG 5901, the world's largest coast guard vessel at 541 feet and 12,000 tons, which started lurking off the seaside province of Zambales on January 4 afternoon.

Authorities believe the ships were deployed to intimidate Filipino fishermen from entering the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed fishing ground and resource-rich area in the South China Sea.

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.