China and Philippines trade blame as ships collide
China and the Philippines have each accused the other of ramming coast guard vessels in a contested area of the South China Sea.
The Philippines has alleged that a Chinese ship “directly and intentionally rammed” one of its vessels, while Beijing claims that the Philippines “deliberately” collided with a Chinese ship.
The incident on Saturday near Sabina Shoal is the latest in a long-standing and intensifying dispute between the two nations over various islands and zones in the South China Sea.
In the past two weeks alone, there have been at least three other incidents in the same area involving vessels from both countries.
The Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Jiao in China and Escoda Shoal in the Philippines is situated approximately 75 nautical miles from the Philippines’ western coast and 630 nautical miles from China.
The South China Sea is a crucial shipping route, with $3 trillion worth of trade passing through it annually. Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Following the latest clash, China’s coast guard called on the Philippines to withdraw from the Sabina Shoal while pledging to “resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement”.
The Philippines Coast Guard said it would not move its vessel – the Teresa Magbanua – “despite the harassment, the bullying activities and escalators action of the Chinese coast guard”.
There were no casualties following the crash but Philippines Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said that the 97-meter (318-feet) Teresa Magbanua had sustained some damage after being hit “several times” by the Chinese ship.
The US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L Carlson, criticized what she called China’s dangerous actions in the region.
“The US condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the [People’s Republic of China], including today’s intentional ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations within the[Philippines] EEZ.” she wrote in a post to X.
“We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law.”
China has repeatedly blamed the Philippines and its ally the US for the escalating tensions. Last week, a defense ministry spokesperson said Washington was “emboldening” Manila to make “reckless provocations”.
Observers worry the dispute could eventually spark a larger confrontation in the South China Sea.
A previous attempt by the Philippines to get the United Nations to arbitrate ended with the decision that China had no lawful claims within its so-called nine-dash line, the boundary it uses to claim a large swathe of the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.
But in recent weeks both countries have attempted to de-escalate the immediate conflicts out at sea.
Last month they agreed to allow the Philippines to restock the outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal with food, supplies, and personnel. Since then this has taken place with no reported clashes.
