The Philippines has filed a claim with the United Nations on its extended sovereign rights in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine foreign ministry says the country filed the claim with a UN commission on Friday to extend its continental shelf to the area west of the island of Palawan. Both Manila and Beijing assert sovereignty in the waters.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea rules the continental shelf to be 200 nautical miles, or about 370 kilometers, from the coastline. Sovereign rights to explore maritime resources are granted there.

The convention also states the shelf can be extended to up to 350 nautical miles, or about 650 kilometers, under certain conditions regarding seabed geography, among others.

The foreign ministry says this is its first application to extend the Philippines' shelf in the South China Sea.
The area is believed to be rich in undersea resources such as natural gas and oil. The ministry says the potential assets will benefit the nation and people for generations to come.

The move comes amid heightened tensions and a series of clashes in the waters. On Monday, China's coast guard said a Filipino supply ship collided with one of its vessels near Second Thomas Shoal, west of Palawan. The Philippines controls the waters around the shoal. Its military condemned China's statement, saying that the "main issue" is the actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone that infringe on Manila's sovereignty and sovereign rights.