The Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese vessels blocked and shadowed its patrol boats near Scarborough Shoal on Sunday, adding to tensions in the disputed South China Sea. The agency said its crews were carrying out routine operations when the encounter took place.

The latest incident underscores the continuing friction between Manila and Beijing over maritime claims in the area, where both sides have repeatedly accused each other of unsafe maneuvers and harassment. Scarborough Shoal remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the broader territorial dispute.

The South China Sea is a critical shipping route and a long-running source of regional instability. While China claims most of the waterway, the Philippines and other countries contest those claims and have sought to assert their rights through patrols, diplomacy, and international legal channels.

Sunday’s report adds to a pattern of confrontations that have raised concern about the risk of miscalculation at sea. The Philippine government has pressed for calm and adherence to international law as the standoff continues.