China's maritime expansionist policies are again in spotlight after Beijing claimed that a Filipino vessel "deliberately collided" with a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea, which China publicises as the South China Sea. China's Coast Guard said that Manila's vessel collided in an "unprofessional and dangerous" manner on Monday (Aug 19).&nbsp;.

A short video of the incident posted on China Coast Guard’s social media showed the collision happened around 3:24 am on Monday (1924 GMT on Sunday). It was not immediately clear if it was a Chinese coast guard vessel but Beijing labelled it a coast guard vessel.

In one of the statements, China’s maritime security said the same Filipino vessel then entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being prevented from entering Sabina Shoal waters.

"The Philippines has repeatedly provoked and caused trouble, violated the temporary arrangements between China and the Philippines,"&nbsp;China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said while&nbsp;referring to the Philippines’ supplies missions to a vessel grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal.

Manila has refuted Chinese claims.

The Philippines said that two of its coast guard vessels "encountered unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres" from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two occupied islands.

"These dangerous manoeuvres resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG vessels," said Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for the National Security Council and Manila's South China Sea task force.

Earlier, China and the Philippines reached a "provisional agreement" in July after repeated faceoffs near the Second Thomas Shoal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-capitals-dhaka-under-turmoil-manila-secures-crucial-diplomatic-win-over-beijing-and-more-742878">The Capitals: Dhaka in turmoil; Manila secures crucial diplomatic win over Beijing; and more</a>

China has come under sharp Western criticism&nbsp;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. But a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague had found&nbsp;that Beijing’s expansive claims have no basis under international law.

(With inputs from agencies)

China's maritime expansionist policies are again in spotlight after Beijing claimed that a Filipino vessel "deliberately collided" with a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea, which China publicises as the South China Sea.

China's maritime expansionist policies are again in spotlight after Beijing claimed that a Filipino vessel "deliberately collided" with a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea, which China publicises as the South China Sea. China's Coast Guard said that Manila's vessel collided in an "unprofessional and dangerous" manner on Monday (Aug 19). . A short video of the incident posted on China Coast Guard’s social media showed the collision happened around 3:24 am on Monday (1924 GMT on Sunday). It was not immediately clear if it was a Chinese coast guard vessel but Beijing labelled it a coast guard vessel. In one of the statements, China’s maritime security said the same Filipino vessel then entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being prevented from entering Sabina Shoal waters. "The Philippines has repeatedly provoked and caused trouble, violated the temporary arrangements between China and the Philippines," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said while referring to the Philippines’ supplies missions to a vessel grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal. Manila has refuted Chinese claims. The Philippines said that two of its coast guard vessels "encountered unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres" from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two occupied islands. "These dangerous manoeuvres resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG vessels," said Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for the National Security Council and Manila's South China Sea task force. Earlier, China and the Philippines reached a "provisional agreement" in July after repeated faceoffs near the Second Thomas Shoal. Also read | The Capitals: Dhaka in turmoil; Manila secures crucial diplomatic win over Beijing; and more China has come under sharp Western criticism 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. But a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague had found that Beijing’s expansive claims have no basis under international law. (With inputs from agencies)

Manila says Chinese ship caused 'structural damage' to its vessel in South China Sea

The Philippines and Germany have committed to concluding a broader defence cooperation arrangement, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Sunday.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to enhance cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations.

The ministers committed to establishing long-term relations between their armed forces to expand training and bilateral exchanges, explore opportunities to expand bilateral armaments cooperation and engage in joint projects.

Also watch |&nbsp;South China Sea face-off: The Philippines that China was not prepared for

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Manila and Berlin are deepening military ties as tensions have flared in recent months between China and the Philippines, which have traded accusations over run-ins in disputed areas of the South China Sea, including charges China intentionally rammed Manila's navy boats seriously injuring a Filipino sailor.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing's claims had no legal basis. China has rejected that ruling.

Teodoro and Pistorius reaffirmed that the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea was "final and legally binding", according to the joint statement.

Germany on Friday joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command in South Korea, becoming the 18th nation in a group that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war.

Pistorius said that move was evidence of Berlin's strong belief that European security is closely linked to security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States and its partners are expanding alliances and partnerships, including those that span the globe.

China has expressed concern about the growing ties between NATO members and Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The Philippines and Germany have committed to concluding a broader defence cooperation arrangement, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Sunday. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to enhance cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations.

The Philippines and Germany have committed to concluding a broader defence cooperation arrangement, their defence ministers said in a joint statement on Sunday. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila to enhance cooperation between the countries, which are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. The ministers committed to establishing long-term relations between their armed forces to expand training and bilateral exchanges, explore opportunities to expand bilateral armaments cooperation and engage in joint projects. Also watch | South China Sea face-off: The Philippines that China was not prepared for × Manila and Berlin are deepening military ties as tensions have flared in recent months between China and the Philippines, which have traded accusations over run-ins in disputed areas of the South China Sea, including charges China intentionally rammed Manila's navy boats seriously injuring a Filipino sailor. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing's claims had no legal basis. China has rejected that ruling. Teodoro and Pistorius reaffirmed that the international tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea was "final and legally binding", according to the joint statement. Germany on Friday joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command in South Korea, becoming the 18th nation in a group that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war. Pistorius said that move was evidence of Berlin's strong belief that European security is closely linked to security in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States and its partners are expanding alliances and partnerships, including those that span the globe. China has expressed concern about the growing ties between NATO members and Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Eye on China? Philippines, Germany commit to concluding broader defence agreement

The militaries of the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;and the United States launched joint patrols on Tuesday in waters near Taiwan, officials of the Southeast Asian nation said, a move likely to fan further tension with China.

Security engagements between the treaty allies have soared this year, including a decision to almost double the number of Philippine bases the American military can access, some facing Taiwan, and their largest-ever joint military drill in April.

This week's three-day joint air and maritime exercise was a "significant initiative" to boost interoperability between the two, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.

"I am confident this ... will contribute to a more secure and stable environment for our people," he said on social media platform X.

The drill would start off in Mavulis island, the&nbsp;Philippines' northernmost point, located about 100 km (62 miles) off Taiwan, said Eugene Cabusao, spokesperson for the Northern Luzon command.

It will end in the West Philippine Sea, the name Manila uses for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Philippine military said three navy vessels, two FA-50 light combat aircraft and an A-29B Super Tucano light attack plane would participate, while the United States would send a littoral combat ship and a P8-A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

The news comes a day after Marcos told a forum in Hawaii the situation in the South China Sea had become more "dire", with the Chinese military inching closer to the Philippine coastline.

The patrols, which are likely to irk China, are a sign the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;is stepping up its defence posture amid what it described as China's "aggressive activities" in the highly strategic waters, long seen as a potential flashpoint between the United States and China.

"China believes that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conducive to regional peace and stability. They should not escalate tensions or undermine trust between countries, still less target any third party," China's Washington embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China claims most of the South China Sea on the basis of a "nine-dash line" that stretches as far as 1,500 km (900 miles) south of its mainland, cutting into the EEZs of rival claimants Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;and Vietnam.

Marcos has forged closer ties with Washington since assuming office last year after a testy relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte, who had pivoted closer to Beijing in exchange for infrastructure projects and investments.

Ties with China have soured under Marcos, with repeated standoffs between Chinese and Filipino vessels in waters claimed by both countries, prompting heated exchanges of rhetoric and concerns of an escalation.

Marcos recently met Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to reduce the tension.

The joint patrol with the United States showed that Manila was making a stand over the South China Sea, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea in Manila, the capital.

"It shows that the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;is really firming up its posture on West Philippine Sea issues," Batongbacal said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The militaries of the Philippines and the United States launched joint patrols on Tuesday in waters near Taiwan, officials of the Southeast Asian nation said, a move likely to fan further tension with China.

The militaries of the Philippines and the United States launched joint patrols on Tuesday in waters near Taiwan, officials of the Southeast Asian nation said, a move likely to fan further tension with China. Security engagements between the treaty allies have soared this year, including a decision to almost double the number of Philippine bases the American military can access, some facing Taiwan, and their largest-ever joint military drill in April. This week's three-day joint air and maritime exercise was a "significant initiative" to boost interoperability between the two, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. "I am confident this ... will contribute to a more secure and stable environment for our people," he said on social media platform X. The drill would start off in Mavulis island, the Philippines' northernmost point, located about 100 km (62 miles) off Taiwan, said Eugene Cabusao, spokesperson for the Northern Luzon command. It will end in the West Philippine Sea, the name Manila uses for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippine military said three navy vessels, two FA-50 light combat aircraft and an A-29B Super Tucano light attack plane would participate, while the United States would send a littoral combat ship and a P8-A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. The news comes a day after Marcos told a forum in Hawaii the situation in the South China Sea had become more "dire", with the Chinese military inching closer to the Philippine coastline. The patrols, which are likely to irk China, are a sign the Philippines is stepping up its defence posture amid what it described as China's "aggressive activities" in the highly strategic waters, long seen as a potential flashpoint between the United States and China. "China believes that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conducive to regional peace and stability. They should not escalate tensions or undermine trust between countries, still less target any third party," China's Washington embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China claims most of the South China Sea on the basis of a "nine-dash line" that stretches as far as 1,500 km (900 miles) south of its mainland, cutting into the EEZs of rival claimants Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Marcos has forged closer ties with Washington since assuming office last year after a testy relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte, who had pivoted closer to Beijing in exchange for infrastructure projects and investments. Ties with China have soured under Marcos, with repeated standoffs between Chinese and Filipino vessels in waters claimed by both countries, prompting heated exchanges of rhetoric and concerns of an escalation. Marcos recently met Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to reduce the tension. The joint patrol with the United States showed that Manila was making a stand over the South China Sea, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea in Manila, the capital. "It shows that the Philippines is really firming up its posture on West Philippine Sea issues," Batongbacal said. (With inputs from agencies)

Philippines launches joint sea, air patrols with US military

China and the Philippines have agreed to set up direct communication channels on the South China Sea and handle disputes peacefully. Watch this video to know more.

China, Philippines agree on direct communication channel

China, Philippines agree to handle disputes 'peacefully'

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr arrived in China on Tuesday for a three-day state visit, during which Manila and Beijing are expected to bolster trade and investment ties and address security issues of mutual concern.

Philippine president Marcos off to China for 3-day state visit