China is accused of ‘ramming’ Filipino ship in disputed waters
China and the Philippines have accused each other of causing a collision between two vessels in the latest flare-up over disputed waters and maritime features in the South China Sea.
Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun was quoted as saying a Philippine ship manoeuvred and “deliberately collided” with a Chinese coast guard ship “in an unprofessional and dangerous manner”.
Philippine officials in Manila said it was their coast guard ship, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, that was rammed three times by the Chinese coast guard without any provocation, causing damage to the Philippine vessel.
The incident is the second confrontation in days near Sabina Shoal, about 130km west of the Philippine province of Palawan, in the internationally recognised exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
The Magbanua has been anchored in Sabina since mid-April after Manila suspected China may construct a structure to seize the uninhabited atoll.
China harboured the same suspicions and recently filed a diplomatic protest against the Philippines due to the ship’s prolonged presence at the shoal.
Beijing is rapidly expanding its military and has become increasingly assertive in pursuing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, which is crucial to international trade.
The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines, and could drag in the US, which is bound by a treaty to defend the Philippines.
The long-time territorial disputes also involve other claimants including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
China has rejected a ruling by a UN-backed arbitration panel that negated almost all of its historically based claims in the South China Sea.
The US condemned “the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the PRC (People’s Republic of China), including today’s intentional ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations”.
America has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack in the South China Sea.