The Philippines has released photographs showing Chinese coast guard ships near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. 

The Philippines' defense ministry on Wednesday released photos of Chinese coast guard vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Arsenio Andolong, the spokesperson for the Philippines' defense ministry, expressed "grave concern" over China's increased presence in the disputed region.

Like Us on Facebook

"We believed that this is [a] precursor to [the] possible building of structures on the shoal," he said. The Philippines released the photos just hours before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit is set to take place at Vientiane, Laos. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is in Laos for the Summit. 

Last week, Manila claimed that China has begun new construction work on the Scarborough Shoal. Beijing has, however, dismissed the allegations and accused the Philippines of 'hyping up' the situation in the disputed South China Sea.

"We should be highly alert against the mischief-making intentions of people who spread such groundless information in such situations," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday. 

In July, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against China in favor of Philippines in a long-standing territorial dispute over South China Sea. China has dismissed the ruling, describing it as "null and void."

TagsSouth China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, china, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal