China is not too happy after a group of Filipino protesters landed on a disputed Philippine-held island in the Spartly archipelago on Saturday.

Up tp 50 protesters mostly composed of students reached the Thitu Island. According to Eugenio Bito-on, the island's mayor, the protesters were showing their stand against Beijing's invasion of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

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China is claiming a large portion of the South China Sea, including areas thought to have massive deposits of natural resources like oil and gas. But other countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the South China Sea. About $5 trillion in global trade passes by the area every year.

According to China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, China was greatly displeased by the events that occurred over the weekend. He emphasized the country's indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly islands.

"We once again urge the Philippines to withdraw all its personnel and facilities from the islands that it is illegally occupying, refrain from actions that are detrimental to regional peace and stability and not conducive to Sino-Philippines relations," Lu said.

In a symbolic act of defiance, the protesters plan to camp in the island they call Pagasa for three days. The protest, described as a "patriotic voyage," is lead by an ex-marine captain.

Philippine government and military officials tried to prevent the protesters from their expedition to the disputed territory after a storm arrived in the country earlier this month.

Manila has been trying to ease tensions with Beijing as the latter continues to expand; building seven artificial islands in the disputed waters. Earlier on, the Philippines challenged Beijing before the arbitration court in the Hague.

Tagschina philippines territorial dispute, china philippines dispute, china philippines relations