China’s Coast Guard accused a Philippine vessel of “deliberately colliding” with a Chinese vessel in a “dangerous and unprofessional” manner in the disputed South China Sea. The clash occurred around 3:24 am local time on Monday, with a short video posted by the China Coast Guard on social media capturing the incident.
According to China’s maritime security statements, the Philippine vessel, which had previously been warned, entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being blocked from Sabina Shoal.Gan Yu, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, claimed that two Philippine Coast Guard vessels “illegally intruded” into the area around Sabina Shoal early Monday.
Gan criticized the Philippines for “provoking and causing trouble,” and for violating agreements related to supply missions to a vessel grounded at Second Thomas Shoal. He warned that the Philippines should “immediately stop infringement and provocation” or face “all consequences.”
Philippines says South China Sea actions not provocative
The Philippines’ actions to assert its rights in the South China Sea are not provocative, Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the country’s security council, said on Monday.
The incident follows a provisional agreement reached in July between China and the Philippines to address repeated altercations near Second Thomas Shoal.
China’s aggressive stance, including blocking Philippine resupply efforts to a navy ship intentionally grounded 25 years ago, has faced sharp criticism from Western nations. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including both Sabina and Second Thomas Shoals, and rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that deemed its expansive claims invalid under international law.
According to China’s maritime security statements, the Philippine vessel, which had previously been warned, entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being blocked from Sabina Shoal.Gan Yu, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, claimed that two Philippine Coast Guard vessels “illegally intruded” into the area around Sabina Shoal early Monday.
Gan criticized the Philippines for “provoking and causing trouble,” and for violating agreements related to supply missions to a vessel grounded at Second Thomas Shoal. He warned that the Philippines should “immediately stop infringement and provocation” or face “all consequences.”
Philippines says South China Sea actions not provocative
The Philippines’ actions to assert its rights in the South China Sea are not provocative, Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the country’s security council, said on Monday.
The incident follows a provisional agreement reached in July between China and the Philippines to address repeated altercations near Second Thomas Shoal.
China’s aggressive stance, including blocking Philippine resupply efforts to a navy ship intentionally grounded 25 years ago, has faced sharp criticism from Western nations. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including both Sabina and Second Thomas Shoals, and rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that deemed its expansive claims invalid under international law.