China's defense ministry on Thursday warned the Philippines it would face "consequences" after an encounter last week at Second Thomas Shoal, a South China Sea hot spot.

Newsweek reached out to the Philippine Coast Guard by email with a request for comment.

Why It Matters

Second Thomas Shoal lies about 120 nautical miles (138 miles) west of Palawan, well within the Philippines' maritime zone. China also lays claim to the reef as part of its sweeping assertions over most of the South China Sea—claims a Hague-based arbitral tribunal rejected in 2016 .

The Philippines grounded a former warship, the BRP Sierra Madre , on the shoal in 1999 and has stationed a small garrison of marines aboard ever since. China maintains the vessel's presence is illegal.

What To Know

At a Chinese defen

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