Latest discussions came days after the Philippines accused China of encroaching on its exclusive economic zone near Scarborough Shoal.

Rival South China Sea claimants also agreed to continue the implementation of Manila’s resupply missions to a disputed shoal.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of intimidating its fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal, and normalizing an “illegal presence,” after Beijing sent its largest coast guard vessel into Manila’s maritime zone.

China has pushed Philippines “to the wall” leaving it with only drastic options to stop intimidation, official adds.

The Philippines accuses China of using its largest coast guard vessel to intimidate Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, heightening tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Manila's National Security Council urges China to withdraw the vessel,

Chinese Coast Guard ships fire water cannons at Unaizah May 4, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, on March 5, 2024, in the South China Sea. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea are reaching a boiling point, Manila officials say.