China placed a floating barrier in a contested shoal where a Chinese warship was stationed in the South China Sea.

Aerial footage taken by the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine fisheries bureau shows the barricade blocking a portion of the disputed Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich part of the busy waterway, on March 24.

Philippine officials said five China Coast Guard vessels and a People's Liberation Army Navy warship were also seen in the area during a routine aerial patrol.

PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: 'The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully conducted Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flights using aircraft RP-1077, departing from Subic Airport. The mission focused on monitoring the Philippine Government vessels providing fuel subsidies and food packs to fishing boats in the Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) area.

'Upon arrival at approximately 0940H this morning, the aircraft monitored four BFAR vessels and two PCG vessels, as well as around twenty-six fishing boats. Additionally, five China Coast Guard vessels and one People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessel were observed in the vicinity.

'Following a second sortie at 1228H, the aircraft confirmed a floating barrier at the southeastern entrance of BDM and detected an unidentified PLA-Naval Air Force helicopter nearby. The mission underscored BFAR and PCG's commitment to maritime safety and support for Filipino fishermen.'

Philippine authorities had previously slammed the China Coast Guard for installing a floating barrier in the same shoal in 2023, preventing Filipino villagers from entering and fishing in the area.

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.