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New collision of Ch, Ph vessels near flashpoint shoal
By J.Lo
“China warns Philippines to immediately cease its infringing actions, otherwise Philippines will bear all consequences resulting from this situation,” China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said China’s coast guard rescued Filipino “personnel” who fell overboard Sunday after Philippine vessel collided with one of its ships near disputed shoal in South China Sea.
Philippines slammed China’s claims as “completely unfounded”.
Two nations have had repeated confrontations in the waters in recent months, and on Saturday Manila accused China of twice firing flares at one of its patrol aircraft.
China has continued to press its claims to almost entire sea, and has ignored international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.
Beijing accused Philippine vessel of “deliberately” colliding with Chinese Coast Guard ship.
It said collision took place near disputed Sabina Shoal, 140 kilometres (86 miles) west of Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometres from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.
Gan said collision occurred when Philippine vessel refused to comply with “control measures” after attempting to deliver supplies to another vessel “illegally stationed” near Xianbin Reef in Nansha Islands using Chinese names for Sabina Shoal and Spratly Islands, also claimed by Manila.
Philippines said its ships encountered “aggressive and dangerous maneuvers” from Chinese side when they were on humanitarian mission to resupply Filipino fishermen with diesel, food and medical items.
Chinese vessels “made close perilous maneuvers resulted in ramming, blasted horns, and deployed water cannons”, leading to early termination of resupply operation after their ship experienced engine failure, statement from Manila’s National Task Force on West Philippine Sea said.
“These unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal actions posed serious risks to safety of Filipino crew and fishermen they were meant to serve,” statement said, adding no one was harmed.
Footage released by Philippine Coast Guard showed Chinese ship approaching and ramming left side of its vessel.
Another clip showed Chinese vessel travelling parallel to Philippine ship, just metres away.
On Saturday Philippines accused China of firing flares at one of its aircraft earlier this month as it patrolled South China Sea.
On Monday both countries also reported collision between their coast guard ships near Sabina Shoal.
Manila had said that was first hostile action by Beijing against it near Sabina, where both sides have stationed coast guard vessels in recent months and where Philippines fears China is about to build artificial island.
US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, whose country has mutual defense treaty with Manila, blasted “unsafe, unlawful, and aggressive conduct” by Chinese vessels on Sunday, saying it was “latest in multiple dangerous actions” by China.
“We are steadfast in supporting” Philippine allies, she said on X.
China deploys boats to patrol busy South China Sea and has built artificial islands it has militarized to reinforce its claims.
In June, Chinese coast guard sailors brandished weapons including knives and axe as they boarded Philippine naval vessels near strategic reef.
Philippine military said one of its sailors lost thumb in confrontation Beijing’s coast guard also confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment including guns.
Beijing blamed escalation on Manila and maintains its actions to protect its claims are legal and proportional.
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