BBC witnesses Chinese ships blocking Philippines supply boats

The BBC has witnessed Chinese vessels blocking Filipino supply boats to an outpost in the South China Sea.

The incident took place as two Philippine coast guard ships - one of which the BBC was aboard - and two tiny commercial boats made their way to the Second Thomas Shoal.

They were met by a ship marked as the Chinese Coast Guard that was five times bigger than the commercial boats.

The encounter between the two sides lasted several hours.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing remain high after the Philippines coast guard cut China's barriers in disputed waters last month.

Manila resupplies its outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands, every month to reinforce its economic rights to waters that are both rich in fish and mineral resources.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratlys, which is also claimed in part by the Philippines.

The incident took place on Wednesday, the second day of a three-day mission to the Second Thomas Shoal. The journey proceeded in rough seas due to a then-oncoming typhoon and the seasonal monsoon.

A little past dawn, the Filipinos were met by what appeared to be the Chinese Coast Guard, as well as two blue militia vessels with Chinese markings.

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