Beijing rejected on Wednesday Philippine complaints about Chinese survey vessels operating in Liyue Tan - also known as the Reed Bank - and has lodged a separate complaint about the detention of Chinese workers.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said over the weekend that two Chinese survey vessels had been sighted in Liyue Tan. He questioned China's intention and expressed hope this would not lead to increased tension between Manila and Beijing.

Liyue Tan, a part of the Nansha archipelago in the South China Sea, is Chinese territory.