Manila has filed a diplomatic protest against the “continuous” presence of Chinese ships near Thitu Island.

The Philippines protested China’s “continued illegal presence and activities” near its islands in the South China Sea.

in a statement The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that it has “conducted diplomatic protests against the continuous deployment of Chinese maritime assets and fishing boats, long-term stays and illegal activities”, located near Tutu or Pagasa Island.

It asked Beijing to withdraw ships from the area, and said: “Pagasa Island is an integral part of the Philippines and has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Philippines.”

Beijing did not immediately comment.

The latest petition is at least the 84th diplomatic protest by the Philippines against China since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016.

it is at Escalation of tensions There are hundreds of Chinese ships in the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. Manila said it believed that these ships were the work of militias, while Beijing said they were fishing boats that escaped bad weather.

Thitu or Pag-asa is located about 451 kilometers (280 miles) from the coast of the Philippines. The island is the largest of the eight controlled reefs, shoals and islands in the Spratly Islands.

China has established a mini city with runways, hangars and surface-to-air missiles just 25 kilometers (15 miles) away from Subi Reef.

In 2016, an international court invalidated China’s claims for expansion in the South China Sea, but Beijing ignored the decision.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have competitive ownership of the various islands and regions in the region.