A Chinese research ship was seen transiting through Philippine archipelagic waters.

The Lan Hai 101, one of China's largest fisheries research vessels, was seen sailing just 25 nautical miles east of Palawan province on February 10.

Footage shows crew of the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Cabra warning the research vessel that it was travelling in Philippine territory.

The Philippine Navy said the Lan Hai 101 was first spotted approaching Philippine territory on Sunday, February 9.

In a press conference, Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said: 'The ship came from Port Klang in Malaysia. It was challenged on Sunday afternoon by our monitoring stations in Balabac island.

'They gave their last port of call, their next port of call, the skipper's name, with 56 crew members. And they were passing through our archipelagic sea lanes because of the inclement weather in the western part of Palawan.

'This is the expected behaviour of foreign ships from any nationality or country that pass through our archipelagic waters.'

Authorities said the Chinese ship was expected to exit the country by February 12 morning if it does not slow down.

Territorial tensions have been mounting between the Philippines and China, which has been sending several vessels sent near the coast of the Philippines on maritime patrol since January.

Among 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.