(Beijing) Chinese and Philippine-flagged ships collided on Monday in a fresh clash near disputed reefs in the South China Sea, with both countries blaming each other for the incident.
“Despite multiple warnings from the Chinese side, Philippine vessel 4410 deliberately collided with Chinese vessel 21,551,” state television CCTV reported, citing Chinese coast guard spokesman Zheng Yu.
Beijing claims the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the coasts of many neighboring countries, and has defied a 2016 ruling by the International Court of Justice.
Tensions between Beijing and Manila have risen in recent months and have been marked by repeated skirmishes in the South China Sea.
“Vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard illegally entered the vicinity of Jianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government,” Zheng said, using the Chinese names for Sabina Atoll and the Spratly Islands.
“The Chinese coast guard has taken restrictive measures against Philippine vessels in accordance with the law,” Beijing added.
For its part, the Philippine body in charge of the matter pointed out that two of its coast guard vessels were damaged in collisions with Chinese boats that were carrying out “illegal and invasive maneuvers” near the Sabina reef.
The maneuvers “resulted in collisions that caused structural damage to two Philippine Coast Guard vessels,” the source said in a statement.
“Dangerous” Maneuver
A vessel, identified by Beijing as the Philippines, collided with a Chinese vessel on its port side, according to images broadcast by CCTV.
Other footage from the Chinese state broadcaster showed a Chinese vessel ramming into the back of a Philippine vessel.
CCTV news banners said the incident occurred when the Philippine vessel “suddenly changed course”. China called it an “unprofessional and dangerous” maneuver.
“We strongly urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its violations and provocations,” said Mr. Keng said.
State news agency Sine Nouvel said the incident happened at 3:24 a.m. local time (3:24 a.m.). [heure de l’Est] Sunday).
He also said the Philippine Coast Guard vessel entered the waters around the second Thomas Reef around 6am.
The second Thomas Atoll, home to a small Philippine garrison stationed aboard a warship captured by the Philippine military in 1999, is about 200 kilometers from the western Philippine island of Palawan and 1000 km from the Chinese island of Hainan.
Skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine boats have occurred in recent months as Beijing has stepped up efforts to assert its claims over nearly the entire South China Sea.
