The Philippines has denounced the presence of China's largest coast guard vessel in its economic waters, calling it an act of Chinese "intimidation, coercion and aggression."

Philippine coast guard officials said the 165-meter long vessel was spotted off the coast of the northern province of Zambales on Saturday. And it remained within Manila's exclusive economic zone as of Monday night.

Officials refer to the ship as "the monster" due to its sheer size.

According to video released by the Philippine coast guard, it ordered the Chinese vessel to clear off, warning it has "no authority to patrol there."
In its radioed response, the Chinese ship said it was conducting "law enforcement duties within its jurisdictional waters."

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within Manila's EEZ.