The Philippines and China are currently in an impasse at a lagoon in the South China Sea . That prospect has peppered the sea with competing claims from China , Vietnam , the Philippines , Malaysia , Brunei and Taiwan . Both countries claim the area is ` ` an integral part '' of their territory . Manila has sent a naval vessel ashore and pulled back a naval vessel from the scene . A third official Chinese ship has reportedly arrived at the scene .
The Philippines and China are currently in an impasse at a lagoon in the South China Sea . Both countries claim the area is ` ` an integral part '' of their territory . Manila has sent a naval vessel ashore and pulled back a naval vessel from the scene . A third official Chinese ship has reportedly arrived at the scene .