China on Tuesday (June 9) reiterated its "indisputable sovereignty" over the Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, and its adjacent waters.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian said that the country's activities there, including scientific research, are legitimate.
Earlier on Tuesday the Philippines' foreign ministry said it had undertaken appropriate diplomatic action against China in connection with the "illegal presence" of a floating structure in a disputed atoll, the Philippines' South China Sea task force said.
The task force confirmed the presence of a floating structure measuring 6 by 6 meters and featuring what appeared to be an antenna in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
Scarborough is a prime fishing spot located 200 km (124 miles) off the western coast of the Philippines. It is also 874 km from Hainan, China's nearest landmass.
Since 2012, China has maintained constant deployment of coastguard and maritime militia ships in the area.
Sovereignty over Scarborough has not been established, but a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled largely in favor of the Philippines, saying China's blockade of the shoal violated international law and that the area was a traditional fishing ground for several countries.
