Two ships from China and the Philippines collided in the South China Sea. The incident involves an area where confrontations often occur in a kind of cat-and-mouse game between the two countries’ coast guards.
A Philippine boat and a Chinese coast guard ship have collided on a disputed reef in the South China Sea. According to both sides, the incident occurred on Sunday during a Philippine supply mission to a small military post on Second Thomas Reef, which is part of the Spratly Islands. Manila and Beijing blamed each other for the incident in the maritime area claimed by both countries.
Philippine authorities said Chinese ships “harassed, blocked and conducted dangerous maneuvers” on two Philippine supply ships on Sunday. A Chinese coast guard ship “rammed” one of the supply ships. A Chinese ship also used water cannons against the two supply ships and an escort ship from the Philippine Coast Guard. The engine of a supply ship was “severely damaged” and the coast guard ship was also damaged.
The Chinese Coast Guard, however, blamed the Philippine ship for the “intentional collision” with the Chinese ship. The Philippine ship first ignored several clear warnings, then “suddenly” changed course and collided with the coast guard ship. “The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side,” the Chinese Coast Guard said.
China claims the entire South China Sea
Just on Saturday, the Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons to “obstruct” three boats that were supposed to deliver provisions to Filipino fishing boats near Scarborough Reef off the main island of Luzon.
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea for itself. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea area, which is strategically and economically extremely important for the neighboring states. The International Arbitration Court in The Hague declared some of the Chinese claims unlawful in 2016. However, China does not recognize the ruling. In 2012, China seized control of Scarborough Reef. Since then, Beijing has sent patrol boats to the area, which, according to Manila, prevent Filipino fishing boats from entering fish-rich waters in the lagoon.
Source: Stern
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