Watch | Philippine ship rammed by ‘unprovoked’ Chinese coastguard in South China Sea
Philippine Coast Guard vessel
China and the Philippines have traded accusations over an incident involving their ships in the disputed South China Sea on Saturday (August 31).
Philippines accuses China of intentional collision
According to Manila, a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel intentionally rammed the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, three times on Saturday, at Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, located in the West Philippine Sea.
"The Philippine Coast Guard vessel did not provoke the Chinese vessel," said Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, during a news briefing.
He added that the collision caused damage to the Philippine ship. “It is important for us to take note that this ramming happened despite our unprovoked action and presence in Escoda Shoal,” Tarriela said.
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China denies allegations and counters with its own
On the other hand, China's coastguard claimed that a Philippine ship, which they described as "illegally stranded" at Sabina Shoal, deliberately rammed into a Chinese vessel.
Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China’s coastguard, asserted that Beijingwould take necessary measures “to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
He reiterated that “China exercises indisputable sovereignty” over the area.
There were no injuries reported from the collisions.
Sabina Shoal, the site of the incident, lies 140km (87 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and approximately 1,200km (746 miles) from Hainan Island, the nearest Chinese territory.
The shoal is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile (370 km) exclusive economic zone and serves as a key point for resupply missions to the Philippine garrison on the Second Thomas Shoal.
China lays claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, coinciding with the territorial claims of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This sea region is thought to contain valuable oil and natural gas reserves, along with rich fishing grounds, and is a vital trade route.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s claims to the area had no legal standing, a decision that Beijing has refused to accept.
(With inputs from agencies)
