# Two Philippine ships had to call off their scientific probe after Chinese vessels and a helicopter intercepted them near the Spratly archipelago, according to the Philippines’ coast guard.
>According to the Philippine coast guard, two vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries were on the way to collect sand samples from Sandy Cay, three small uninhabited sandbars in the Spratly archipelago. Their destination was located near the Thitu island controlled by the Philippines and an artificial island where China had erected a military base.
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# Two Philippine ships had to call off their scientific probe after Chinese vessels and a helicopter intercepted them near the Spratly archipelago, according to the Philippines’ coast guard.
>The [Philippines](https://www.dw.com/en/philippines/t-17363433) said its fishing vessels were harassed by [Chinese](https://www.dw.com/en/china/t-18480887) coast guard and navy on Saturday, prompting the Philippine ships to suspend a scientific survey they were conducting in the [South China Sea](https://www.dw.com/en/south-china-sea-conflict/t-67223870).
>According to the Philippine coast guard, two vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries were on the way to collect sand samples from Sandy Cay, three small uninhabited sandbars in the Spratly archipelago. Their destination was located near the Thitu island controlled by the Philippines and an artificial island where China had erected a military base.
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