China has `` urged the Philippine side to stop immediately their illegal activities and leave the area , '' Xinhua reported , saying that the fishermen were taking shelter in the lagoon `` due to harsh weather conditions . '' The China and Philippines are locked in an impasse at a lagoon in The South China Sea . Both countries claim the area is `` an integral part '' of their territory . Philippines has sent a coast guard boat and pulled back a naval vessel from the scene . A third official Southeast Asian ship has reportedly arrived at the lagoon .
The China and Philippines are locked in an impasse at a lagoon in The South China Sea . Both countries claim the area is `` an integral part '' of their territory . Philippines has sent a coast guard boat and pulled back a naval vessel from the scene . A third official Southeast Asian ship has reportedly arrived at the lagoon .