Officials in the Philippines have banned a Chinese diplomat from meetings after allegedly exhibiting rude behavior during talks.

Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Chinese Embassy's First Secretary Li Yongsheng was barred from entering the foreign affairs offices in Manila for raising his voice at a Filipino official during a discussion on the disputed Spratly islands.

Foreign affairs officials said Li exhibited “conduct unbecoming of a diplomat”.

The Spratlys, located in the South China Sea, are claimed all or in part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. The uninhabited island chain is believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves.

The Philippines has been particularly concerned about several Chinese incursions near the disputed Spratly Islands in recent months. China says it has held sovereignty over the South China Sea for centuries.

Despite the tensions Philippine President Benigno Aquino is scheduled to visit China later this year. The date of the trip has not been set.