Latest discussions came days after the Philippines accused China of encroaching on its exclusive economic zone near Scarborough Shoal.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of intimidating its fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal, and normalizing an “illegal presence,” after Beijing sent its largest coast guard vessel into Manila’s maritime zone.

The Philippines accuses China of using its largest coast guard vessel to intimidate Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, heightening tensions in the disputed South China Sea. Manila's National Security Council urges China to withdraw the vessel,

Growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea are reaching a boiling point, Manila officials say.

A Chinese coastguard ship patrolled Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday pushing the Philippines “to the wall,” and prompting Manila to consider international lawsuits.