The Philippine government has denounced China for taking what it calls "aggressive actions" during a routine maritime patrol near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

The Philippine National Maritime Council said the Chinese coast guard fired high pressured water cannons and intentionally sideswiped one of the Philippine patrol ships near the Scarborough Shoal.

It accuses China of "blocking, shadowing and dangerous maneuvers" against Philippine vessels.

Alexander Lopez, the Council's spokesperson, said on Wednesday that China's actions against the vessels are "clear violations of international law and an affront to the mutual respect that is expected between countries."

The Chinese Coast Guard reacted by saying that one of the Philippine ships ignored repeated warnings and deliberately rammed into its vessel. China warned the Philippines to "immediately stop infringement, provocation and propaganda" or bear all consequences.

Manila and Beijing have been sparring in a maritime confrontation around the contested shoal. The shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. But China has unilaterally announced baselines for the area. On Monday, it submitted a nautical chart to the United Nations showing its territorial claims to the waters around the shoal.