China and the Philippines have accused each other of ramming coast guard vessels in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
The Philippines claims a Chinese vessel “directly and intentionally rammed” its vessel, while Beijing accuses the Philippines of “intentionally” ramming the Chinese vessel.
Saturday’s collision near Sabina Shoal was the latest incident in a long-running and escalating dispute between the two countries over various islands and areas in the South China Sea.
In the past two weeks, there have been at least three other incidents in the same area involving vessels from the two countries.
Sabina Shoal, known to China as Xianbin Jiao and to the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, lies about 75 nautical miles off the west coast of the Philippines and 630 nautical miles from China.
The South China Sea is a major shipping route through which $3 trillion worth of trade passes each year. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Following the latest clash, the Chinese coast guard called on the Philippines to withdraw from Sabina Shoal and pledged to “resolutely stop all provocations, disturbances and infringements”.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it would not move its vessel Teresa Magbanua “despite harassment, bullying activities and escalatory actions by the Chinese coast guard.”
There were no casualties in the accident, but Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the 97-meter (318-foot) Teresa Magbanua was damaged after being rammed “multiple times” by the Chinese vessel.
The US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L Carlson, has criticized what she called China’s dangerous actions in the region.
“The United States condemns multiple dangerous violations of international law by [People’s Republic of China]including today’s deliberate 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 United States for the escalating tensions. Last week, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Washington was “encouraging” Manila to take “reckless provocations.”
Observers fear the dispute could eventually spark a larger confrontation in the South China Sea.
A previous attempt by the Philippines to take the United Nations to arbitration ended with a ruling that China had no legal claim within the so-called nine-dash line, the boundary it uses to claim a large swath of the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.
But in recent weeks, both countries have made efforts to de-escalate direct conflict at sea.
Last month, they agreed to allow the Philippines to resupply its outpost at Second Thomas Shoal with food, supplies and personnel. This has since taken place without any reports of conflict.
