China has blocked four Philippine vessels that attempted to “intrude into the territorial waters” of the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday, the country’s coastguard said.

Chinese incursions at Scarborough Shoal and Pag-Asa Shoal (Thitu Island) in the Philippines expose legal warfare over Philippine claims in the South China Sea.

Philippine vessels faced 'blocking, shadowing and dangerous maneuvers' from Chinese navy and coast guard ships, the Philippines said