The competing claims are reigniting tensions in the South China Sea and coincide with joint military drills between the U.S. and the Philippines.

BEIJING (AP) — China says six Filipinos landed on a tiny outcropping that both countries claim in the South China Sea, days after photos emerged of Chinese coast guard officers displaying a Chinese flag on the same group of sandbars.

There is “no truth whatsoever” to the China Coast Guard (CCG)’s declaration that it has seized the Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay, National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said yesterday.