The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) says more than 135 Chinese vessels are “swarming” at a reef off its coast, describing the boats’ growing presence as “alarming”.

Key points: Last month, Philippines coast guard says it counted 111 “Chinese maritime militia vessels”

Last month, Philippines coast guard says it counted 111 “Chinese maritime militia vessels” The PCG deployed two patrol boats to the area on Saturday, saying the number had increased to “more than 135”

The PCG deployed two patrol boats to the area on Saturday, saying the number had increased to “more than 135” Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, including waters and islands close to the shores of its neighbours

The Chinese boats were “dispersed and scattered” within the boomerang-shaped Whitsun Reef, which the Philippines calls Julian Felipe Reef, around 320 kilometres west of Palawan Island, the coast guard said.…

This data comes from the ChinaPulse.com media intelligence and smart news insights monitoring platform.