China rejected the Philippines' complaints on Wednesday against Chinese survey ships operating within Philippine territory. As if to put more strain on the tension, it made another complaint against the Philippines' detention of Chinese workers.

China's Foreign Ministry simply stated that Reed Bank, where the vessels were seen, is their territory.

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"[The] surveys being carried out by Chinese survey ships are appropriate, legal and beyond reproach," the ministry said.

The statement was a reaction to Philippine President Benigno Aquino's complaint on Tuesday about two Chinese vessels spotted near Recto Bank or Reed Bank in the South China Sea

Aquino questioned the agenda of these vessels on Philippine waters in a statement on TV.

The Philippine President also hopes that "this will not lead to increased tension in the South China Sea or the "West Philippine Sea," as Filipinos call it.

Although South China Sea has been in dispute for long, the tension between China and the Philippines started only in 2011.

Chinese patrol boats apparently chased away a survey ship by Forum Energy Plc that was conducting studies on the Reed Bank.

Reed Bank, which is 144 kilometers off of Palawan, is said to be within the continental margin of the province.

Other than Reed Bank, the Scarborough Shoal has been constantly in the news for several sour encounters between Chinese vessels and the Philippine coast guard.

The tension between the two countries is further strained because of other events.

One is the recent conviction of Chinese fishermen who poached endangered pangolins on Philippine sea.

Another incident is the detaining of 55 Chinese nationals who were alleged of working without permits in Manila.

China claims to own most of South China Sea. Aside from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea, which is believed to contain rich oil and gas deposits.

Tagswest philippine sea, waters in dispute