Beijing summoned the Philippine ambassador on Tuesday to protest a confrontation between the two nations' vessels at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
The diplomatic move follows a day of heightened friction in the contested waters, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing territorial dispute.
The summons comes in the wake of reports from Manila that Chinese coast guard personnel physically injured a Filipino sailor during the Monday encounter.
The Philippine military has accused Beijing of using aggressive tactics against its navy personnel, a claim that has drawn sharp condemnation from Washington.
The United States described the actions as "dangerous and aggressive," underscoring the growing international concern over stability in the region.
This incident adds to a series of confrontations that have strained relations between the two Asian powers.