Ships from China and Philippines collide in South China Sea
A new incident involving ships from China and the Philippines occurs in the South China Sea (photo: Getty Images)
On Sunday, August 25, Chinese ships rammed and fired water cannons at a vessel from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries in disputed waters of the South China Sea, reports Reuters.
The incident occurred near the Sabina Shoal. According to the Philippine operational group, Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannons against the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel, which was transporting food, fuel, and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.
Philippine version
The Philippine operational group accused Beijing of aggressive and dangerous maneuvers aimed at blocking the resupply mission.
"These unprofessional, aggressive and illegal actions posed serious risks to the safety of the Filipino crew and the fishermen they were meant to serve," the group stated.
The group also reported that the Bureau of Fisheries vessel, operating from Half-Moon Shoal to Sabina Shoal, encountered several Chinese ships that carried out dangerous maneuvers, causing the vessel's engine to fail and forcing it to halt its resupply mission for fisheries resources.
Manila has reiterated its call for Beijing to cease provocative actions that destabilize regional peace and security.
Chinese version
China's coast guard stated that it took control measures against the vessel that illegally entered the waters and repeatedly dangerously approached Chinese ships.
The Coast Guard also noted that the Philippine vessel ignored repeated serious warnings and deliberately approached and rammed a Chinese law enforcement boat, leading to the collision. The Chinese authorities have fully attributed responsibility for the incident to the Philippine side.
The agency highlighted that this incident has overshadowed efforts by both countries to rebuild trust and resolve disputes following months of confrontation, including a violent clash in June in which a Filipino sailor lost a finger.
Incidents involving ships from China and the Philippines
Control over the South China Sea is claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Trade in the region generates approximately $3 trillion annually.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China's claims to these maritime territories had no legal basis. Beijing rejected this ruling.
In recent months, there have been regular clashes and conflict incidents between Chinese and Philippine ships.
The most recent incident occurred on August 19, when Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard vessels once again collided in the South China Sea, escalating tensions in the ongoing maritime dispute between the two countries.
In March, Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels.
