MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of intimidating its fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal, and normalizing an “illegal presence,” after Beijing sent its largest coast guard vessel into Manila’s maritime zone.

China was “pushing us to the wall” with its growing aggression in the South China Sea, said National Security Council (NSC) Asst. Director-General Jonathan Malaya. In the latest acts of aggression by China’s forces,

MANILA: China and the Philippines are holding talks on their South China Sea dispute, Manila’s top envoy said Wednesday (Jan 15), as tensions rise anew over Beijing’s giant vessel in disputed waters.

Growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea are reaching a boiling point, Manila officials say.

A Chinese coastguard ship patrolled Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday pushing the Philippines “to the wall,” and prompting Manila to consider international lawsuits.