The Philippines says more than 130 Chinese ships have gathered in part of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Manila and Beijing have competing claims to the waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard said on Sunday that it had found the Chinese vessels moored near a coral reef of the Spratly Islands, over 300 kilometers west of the Philippine island of Palawan.

The Philippines says waters around the reef are part of its EEZ. But Beijing has de facto control of the reef.

Video clips of the area released by the coast guard show lines of large ships equipped with what appear to be cranes.

The Philippines says two of its patrol boats on Saturday conducted patrols in the waters and warned the Chinese vessels to leave the area. But it says the Chinese ships refused the orders.

The Philippines suspects that the Chinese ships are carrying maritime militia personnel.

The Philippines is keeping its guard up, saying the number of Chinese vessels in the waters has been growing from last month's level.

The Philippines spotted more than 200 Chinese ships in the same area in March 2021. Manila lodged a protest with Beijing at the time.