Philippines protests Beijing's 'provocative acts' in South China Sea

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have been simmering for years in the strategic waterway where both countries have territorial claims.

"These provocative acts threaten the peace, good order, and security of the South China Sea and run contrary to China's obligations under international law," the foreign ministry said on Twitter.

The ministry said on Wednesday more than 200 such challenges took place while the Philippines was conducting routine patrols over and around its territory and maritime zones. It did not specify over what time period the challenges took place.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.

China claims sovereignty over vast swathes of the South China Sea. Vietnam calls the waters the East Sea.

In 2016, an international tribunal invalidated China's expansive claim in the strategic waterway where about $3 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually.

But President Rodrigo Duterte shelved the favorable ruling and pursued a rapprochement with Beijing in exchange for pledges of billions of dollars of loans, aid and investment, much of which have yet to materialize.

Since Duterte took office in June 2016, the Philippines has filed more than 80 diplomatic protests against China.