Chinese Coast Guard Ship Rams Into Philippine Govt Vessel In The South China Sea

Tensions flared between China and the Philippines once again after a Chinese Coast Guard ship rammed into a Philippine government vessel in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard blamed China for risky manoeuvres in the high seas and for deliberately striking the BRP Datu Magat Salamat.

The spokesperson, Jay Tarriela, also said that the Chinese vessel came into the path of the Philippine ship at a distance of 10 metres, while it was on its way to provide fuel to Philippine fishermen.

After a few minutes had passed, the Chinese vessel turned to perform the same manoeuvre and this time rammed into the Philippine vessel, which led to major damage to one side of the ship, Tarriela added. He also released video footage of the incident for the people.

The incident, which occurred off Palawan, is the latest in a series of similar ones involving Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, which remains an issue of contestation between China, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

However, China claims the entire waterbody, including several islands and shoals, which has led to skirmishes with other nations who argue that it is illegal. Even a United Nations Tribunal stated that China’s claims are baseless; however, Beijing does not seem to care.

There were no casualties, and nobody was injured in the incident; however, debris fell overboard from the Philippine vessel belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources.

Chinese government rejected the Philippine account of the incident and instead accused Manila of the collision.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited the Chinese Coast Guard and said that the Philippine ship did not pay heed to warnings, changed its path abruptly, increased its speed and came in front of the Chinese vessel, which led to the accident.

Two months ago, the Philippines blamed China for using a water cannon at its vessels close to the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which also injured a Philippine naval personnel. China had banned Manila’s National Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro from entering Beijing after which the minister said he would continue fighting against the ‘wickedness’ of China.

United States has also expressed its concern over China’s increasing military dominance in the region, along with the establishment of a nature reserve, which it claims is built to occupy territories in the disputed area.