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 says no Israeli troops will go to Beirut after call with Netanyahu
Iran halting indirect talks with US over Israel's Lebanon incursion
Trump says Iran really wants to make a deal with the US
Israel's Netanyahu orders attacks in Beirut's southern suburbs
Malaysia bars under-16s from signing up for social media
