Philippines and China Trade Accusations Over Ship Collision in South China Sea

The Philippines and China traded blame on Sunday over a maritime collision near disputed islands in the South China Sea, further escalating tensions in the resource-rich waterway.

The Philippine Coast Guard accused Chinese maritime forces of using water cannons and ramming a Philippine vessel near Thitu Island, known locally as Pag-asa Island, calling the action a “clear threat.”

According to the coast guard, three Philippine vessels were anchored near the island early Sunday as part of a government program to safeguard local fishermen when Chinese ships allegedly approached and used high-pressure water cannons to drive them away.

About an hour later, a Chinese coast guard vessel reportedly directly fired water cannons at one of the Philippine ships and collided with its stern, causing minor damage but no injuries.

China’s Coast Guard, however, said two Philippine government vessels had “illegally entered” the waters near Sandy Cay Reef, part of the northern Thitu Reefs in the Spratly Islands, resulting in the collision.

Beijing claimed that a Philippine ship approached dangerously close to a Chinese vessel, and held Manila responsible for the incident.

Philippine officials reiterated their commitment to continue operations in the area to protect the livelihoods of local fishermen despite the confrontation.

The disputed area, part of the Spratly Islands, has been a recurring flashpoint between the two nations for years.

Tensions have intensified recently, especially around the Scarborough Shoal and other contested regions of the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely.

Other countries — Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam — also have overlapping claims to parts of the strategic waterway, which facilitates over $3 trillion in annual ship-borne trade.