Chinese coast guard bids to block Philippine scientists in South China Sea

A Chinese coast guard ship, top, tries to block a Philippine government vessel at the disputed South China Sea (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Chinese coast guard ships backed by a military helicopter have attempted to block two Philippine government vessels carrying scientists from reaching two sandbars in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine officials said.

Coast guard personnel blew the horn on one of their ships for half an hour and repeatedly transmitted radio warnings during the confrontation on Thursday, but the Filipino scientists managed to complete their four-hour marine and biodiversity research at the barren sandbars called Sandy Cay, the officials said.