Philippines, China trade blame after vessels collide in South China Sea

BEIJING/MANILA – The Philippines and China accused each other on Aug 19 of ramming vessels and performing dangerous manoeuvres in the South China Sea, the latest flare-up after the two nations had agreed to try to ease tensions and manage disagreements at sea.

The China Coast Guard said in a statement that a Philippine vessel which had ignored its repeated warnings “deliberately collided” with a Chinese vessel in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner in the disputed waterway early on Aug 19.

Manila disputed Beijing’s account and accused it of “imposing its version of facts”.

It said two of its coast guard vessels “encountered unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres” by Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed on two occupied islands.

“These dangerous manoeuvres resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) vessels,” said Mr Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman for the national security council and Manila’s South China Sea task force.

At a regular news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters that China would continue to take lawful “resolute and forceful measures” to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

“We hope that the Philippines can keep its commitments (and) earnestly abide by the temporary arrangements reached with China,” Ms Mao said.

The United States condemned China’s actions. Its ambassador to Manila, Ms MaryKay Carlson, said on social media platform X that the US “stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard’s dangerous manoeuvres” which endangered lives and caused damage to coast guard vessels.

Manila said coast guard vessels Cape Engano and Bagacay were on their way to resupply personnel stationed on Flat Island, which Manila calls Patag and Lawak Island and which China calls Nanshan, when the confrontation happened near Sabina Shoal.

The collision occurred between Cape Engano and a Chinese coast guard ship at around 3.25am on Aug 19, Manila said.

About 16 minutes later, a Chinese coast guard ship rammed the Bagacay twice, damaging its auxiliary room and causing a 1m-wide hole, according to Philippine officials and images shared by the PCG.

PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said: “This is the biggest structural damage that we have incurred as a result of the dangerous manoeuvres carried out by the Chinese coast guard.”

The China Coast Guard posted a short video of the incident, which showed what it said was a PCG ship “deliberately ramming” what it said was one of its vessels.

Mr Malaya said that video was misleading.

China’s maritime security said the same Philippine vessel involved in the collision then entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being prevented from entering Sabina Shoal waters.

Sabina Shoal is in the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

According to China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu, two PCG vessels “illegally intruded” into waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal without permission in the early hours of Aug 19.

“The Philippines has repeatedly provoked and caused trouble, violated the temporary arrangements between China and the Philippines,” Mr Gan said, referring to Philippine supply missions to a vessel grounded on Second Thomas Shoal.

The China Coast Guard said it took control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law in the incidents early on Aug 19, and warned the Philippines to “immediately stop infringement and provocation” or “bear all consequences”.

The Philippine task force said both of its vessels will continue with their mission to supply personnel on Flat Island.

“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea urges restraint and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international laws to prevent further escalations and ensure the safety of all vessels operating in the region,” it said.

The Philippine military’s spokesperson condemned China’s actions, and vowed to ensure that soldiers stationed on the occupied islands will “receive the necessary supplies and support to carry out their duties”.

The incident came less than two weeks after an air incident between the Chinese and Philippine militaries in Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippines is “disappointed” with the latest maritime encounter, which came after it agreed to a provisional agreement with China in July over its resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, Mr Malaya said.

China has been sharply criticised by Western nations for aggression in blocking Philippine efforts to resupply troops aboard a navy ship it intentionally grounded 25 years ago.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including both shoals, rejecting a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that its expansive claims had no basis under international law. REUTERS