Chinese amphibious warships, including a helicopter-carrying assault ship, have staged a show of force in the South China Sea, supporting Beijing's territorial claims in the contested region. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email.

The standoff over Sandy Cay, which lies close to military outposts built by both Beijing and Manila, was the latest between the two nations.

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.