A Chinese vessel blocks Filipino supply boats from reaching an outpost in the South China Sea.

Two Philippine coast guard ships and two tiny commercial boats were making their way to the Second Thomas Shoal at the time of the incident.

The Chinese Coast Guard ship that met them was five times bigger than the commercial boats.

The Philippines coast guard cut China’s barriers in disputed waters earlier this month, raising tensions between Manila and Beijing.

The Philippines resupplies its outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratly Islands, every month to strengthen its economic rights.

The Chinese claim almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed in part by the Philippines.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, the second day of a three-day mission to Second Thomas Shoal. As a result of an oncoming typhoon and monsoon season, the journey proceeded in rough seas.

Two blue vessels with Chinese markings met the Filipinos a little past dawn, appearing to be the Chinese Coast Guard.

As the two countries’ vessels encountered one another, the Chinese vessels sent radio challenges to the Filipinos, asking them to leave. A box-shaped formation was formed by the Chinese when the Philippine ships refused.

However, the two Philippine Coast Guard ships were too big to pass and came within a few metres of the Chinese ships. The crews of both ships took pictures of each other because they were so close together. There was also a Philippine military plane flying overhead.