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.

Beijing urges Manila to ‘stop its infringement’ after Philippine personnel land on reef that has become flashpoint in South China Sea.

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.