The Philippines has denounced Chinese Coast Guard vessels for intercepting its patrol ships in the South China Sea earlier this month. The two countries have overlapping territorial claims in the region.

The Philippine Coast Guard announced on Friday that two of its vessels conducted a maritime patrol for seven days through April 24 in waters around the Spratly Islands.

It says Chinese Coast Guard vessels intercepted the Philippine patrol ships and carried out "dangerous maneuvers" near one of the patrol ships on April 23.

Footage purportedly taken at the scene shows a Chinese Coast Guard vessel approaching a Philippine ship and coming as close as 45 meters from it.

The Philippine Coast Guard also says a Chinese Navy vessel directed the Philippine ships to leave an area that is part of the Philippines' territorial waters.

The Filipino maritime authorities also say they have confirmed a total of more than 100 Chinese ships operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Friday that two Philippine vessels intruded into Chinese waters and approached Chinese Coast Guard ships.

Mao said the Chinese ships averted the dangerous move by the Philippine vessels and prevented a collision.

The incident took place around the time when Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited Manila for talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Qin told Marcos that China hopes the Philippines will properly handle the Taiwan issue and earnestly respond to China's legitimate concerns.

His visit apparently reflects China's concerns over Manila's moves to strengthen security cooperation with Washington.