China's Coast Guard urged the Philippines to stop sending missions near a disputed shoal in South China Sea to resupply vessels, warning such "adventurous" actions could trigger unspecified incident.

The statement came after a series confrontations and clashes in and around the atoll. It has now become a flashpoint for a dispute over maritime and territorial claims in the ocean where $3 trillion in trade passes each year.

The Chinese authorities said that the Philippines had conducted an airdrop on a vessel in that country on Wednesday. They also stated their actions would "very likely" cause unforeseeable incidents both at sea and air, without providing any further details.

Chinese coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu stated that the Philippine vessel is "able to manoeuvre and evac on its own and the relevant problems can be easily resolved, but the Philippine party gambles with the lives and health of the officers and staff".

The Philippine Coast Guard or National Security Council did not immediately comment on the reported airdrop, or on the Chinese comments made outside of office hours on Friday. The Philippines has in the past said it was mounting missions to replenish fishermen.

Sabina Shoal, an atoll located about 150 km (90 mi) west of the Philippine island Palawan.

The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China building an offshore wind farm.

Artificial Island

China has dismissed this charge.

On Sunday, the Philippines accused China using "aggressive" and "dangerous manoeuvres".

Block

A sea mission is a mission that resupplies the ship.

China's coastguard said that it had taken "control" measures against a vessel which had "illegally entered" the waters and approached Chinese vessels in a dangerous way repeatedly.

Both countries have accused each other last week of ramming ships and performing dangerous maneuvers around the same island during a Philippine-led mission to resupply Flat Island personnel.

Manila's Military said earlier this month that two Chinese aircraft performed a dangerous maneuver.

Dropped flares

In the path of Manila’s air force aircraft performing a routine patrol on Scarborough Shoal. China denied this, saying that it acted in an ethical and legal manner.

(source: Reuters)