China has denied that one of its fishing vessels abandoned 22 Filipinos after their boat sank in the South China Sea.
The incident has resulted in increased pressure on Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to take a tougher stance.
In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Manila said the crew had initially intended to rescue the Filipino fishermen.
However they aborted the mission when they were “suddenly besieged by seven or eight Filipino fishing boats”.

Trump adds seven countries to full travel ban list
Doctors in England start five-day walkout during flu surge
Israeli settler kills 16-year-old Palestinian in West Bank, mayor says
Paris' Louvre reopens partially but staff vote to extend strike
Delhi restricts vehicles, office attendance in bid to curb pollution
