(Beijing) Chinese and Philippine ships collided Monday in an altercation near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Beijing state media said.
“Despite multiple warnings from the Chinese side, Philippine vessel 4410 deliberately collided with Chinese vessel 21551,” state broadcaster CCTV quoted Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Geng Yu as saying.
Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the coasts of several neighboring countries, and has ignored an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling rejecting the claim as legally baseless.
Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated in recent months, particularly following a series of confrontations in the South China Sea.
“The Philippine Coast Guard vessels illegally entered the waters near Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government,” Geng said, using the Chinese names for Sabina Atoll and the Spratly Islands.
“The Chinese Coast Guard has taken control measures against Philippine vessels in accordance with the law,” Beijing added.
China accused the Philippine ships of acting “unprofessionally and dangerously, resulting in an accidental collision.”
“We strongly urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its violations and provocations,” Geng said.
State news agency Xinhua said the incident took place at 3:24 a.m. local time (3:24 p.m. CET). [heure de l’Est] Sunday).
She also said the Philippine Coast Guard vessel then entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal – a frequent site of clashes between the two sides – around 6 a.m.