The Philippines claims that Chinese vessels are engaging in dangerous maneuvers within a disputed region of the South China Sea.This is the most recent disagreement between the two countries in that area. The Philippine coast guard said on Friday that while they were near Ayungin Shoal, also called Ren'ai Reef by China, doing their usual rotation and resupply work, eight Chinese boats came close to them. It said that the Chinese boats put the safety of the Philippine crew members at risk, but it didn't explain how. It said that the situation included four ships from the Chinese coast guard and four ships from the Chinese "maritime militia. " Experts who specialize in marine security in the West think that Beijing controls a large group of boats called a maritime militia. This group helps China claim territories in the South China Sea and other areas, and can be denied by the Chinese government if needed. The Philippines says that the militia has been involved in both of the most recent events at Ayungin Shoal, which is also called Second Thomas Shoal. China has not admitted that this militia is real. After the latest problem, the coast guard of the Philippines contacted the coast guard of China and asked them to stop any illegal activities in the waters of the Philippines right away. Beijing says it has complete control over almost all of the South China Sea, which is 1. 3 million square miles in size. It also says it owns most of the islands in the sea. This means that there is a group of small islands called the Spratlys. These islands are claimed by many countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Manila also refers to a portion of the area as the West Philippine Sea. In 1999, it purposely ran aground a navy transport ship called the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal. The ship was staffed by Filipino marines, and it was done to support the country's ownership of the area. In reply to the recent conflict, the Chinese coast guard made a statement on Friday, blaming the Philippines for going into the area without permission. The statement said that two ships from the Philippines, used to supply goods, and two ships from the Philippine coast guard went into the waters near Ren'ai Reef in China's Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government. China says that it definitely owns the Nansha Islands and the nearby waters. They are also against the Philippines bringing illegal materials to the warships on the beach. Manila says it has the right to the South China Sea, and a court in the Hague agreed with them in 2016, saying China does not have a legal reason to claim most of it as their own. Beijing didn't listen to the decision and says that the Philippines promised to take away the vessel. The President of the Philippines is Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He said his government never made that promise.