Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels occur frequently in the disputed South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly all of despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

The Philippines said a Chinese coast guard ship "fired its water cannon" at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a vessel belonging to Manila's fisheries bureau, at 9:15 am (0115 GMT) on Sunday.

"Just three minutes later... the same (Chinese) vessel deliberately rammed the stern" of the Philippine boat, "causing minor structural damage but no injuries to the crew", the statement said.

Manila's coast guard said the incident took place near Thitu Island, part of the Spratly Islands where Beijing has sought to assert its sovereignty claims for years.

Photos and videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed a China Coast Guard vessel -- with its activated water cannon -- shadowing a Philippine ship.

"Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions... we will not be intimidated or driven away," the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

Last month, the Philippine government said one person was injured when a water cannon attack by a China Coast Guard vessel shattered a window on the bridge of another fisheries bureau ship, BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, near the Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal.

In August, a Chinese navy vessel collided with one from its own coast guard while chasing a Philippine patrol boat near the same shoal.

China seized control of the fish-rich shoal from the Philippines after a lengthy standoff in 2012.

The Philippines had also expressed opposition to China's plans for a "nature reserve" on the disputed Scarborough Shoal, with Manila's National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano calling it a pretext for "eventual occupation" of the site.

The South China Sea is a busy waterway through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes.