China warns the Philippines of possible "consequences" for allegedly "hyping up incidents" of "provocations and infringements" in Ayungin Shoal following a recent increase in the number of Chinese vessels and activities around the area last week.

"The Philippines should immediately stop making provocations and infringements and stop hyping up incidents. Otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom should be borne by itself," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

The spokesperson made the remarks after BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II Philippine Navy vessel, released two small boats which approached the China Coast Guard vessels "in an unprofessional and dangerous manner".

"I want to emphasize that Ren'ai Jiao, being a part of China's Nansha Qundao, is China's inherent territory. It is justified, lawful and beyond reproach for the Chinese vessels to operate in waters under China's jurisdiction," the spokesperson stressed.

Ren'ai Jiao is China's name for Ayungin Shoal while Nansha Qundao is what Beijing calls the Spratly Islands.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, previously reported that the Chinese vessels were driven away by Philippine boats based in Ayungin Shoal after they attempted to come closer to BRP Sierra Madre when they increased their presence and displayed their capability in the area last week.

"There was at first an attempt of two speedboats and one (rigid hull inflatable boat) RHIB to come close to Sierra Madre, which eventually they left. And then followed by a speedboat that tried to come closer, but two of our RHIBs were able to block them and to drive them away and they complied," he said.

Following attempts to come close to BRP Sierra Madre, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr said he ordered the Philippine troops deployed in Ayungin Shoal not to allow Chinese to board the grounded Navy ship.

Earlier this week, Trinidad confirmed that the number of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal has gone down to around 16 including a tugboat from a total of 27 last week including two aircraft. Robina Asido/DMS