China's Coast Guard said that it monitored Philippine patrol vessels and fishing boats which had gathered near the disputed Sabina Shoal. It cited China's "indisputable sovereignty" over the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.

In a late Sunday statement, Gan Yu stated that the coast guard of China had been watching these vessels since Saturday.

Gan reported that multiple fishing vessels and patrol boats of the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Bureau have gathered near the Philippine ship, which China had said was "illegally stuck" on the shoal.

Chinese Coast Guard reiterates that the stranded vessel "violates China's sovereignty, maritime interests and rights, as well as peace and stability" in the South China Sea.

The Philippines refers to it as Escoda Shoal, while China calls it Xianbin Reef.

(source: Reuters)