China and the Philippines have been accused of hijacking coast guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippines says the Chinese vessel “directly and intentionally rammed” its vessel, while Beijing has accused the Philippines of “deliberately ramming” the Chinese vessel.
Saturday’s skirmish near Sabina Shoal is the latest in a long-running — and escalating — row between the two countries over islands and areas in the South China Sea.
In the past two weeks, there have been at least three incidents in the same area involving ships from both countries.
Sabina Shoal, China’s Xianbin Jiao and Philippines’ Escoda Shoal, is located about 75 kilometers off the west coast of the Philippines and 630 nautical miles from China.
The South China Sea is a major shipping lane through which trade worth three billion dollars passes annually. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Following the latest confrontation, China’s coast guard asked the Philippines to withdraw from Sabina Shoal while promising to “resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, disturbance and violation of the law”.
The Philippine coast guard said it would not remove its ship – the Teresa Magbanua – “despite the harassment, bullying and aggressive action of the Chinese security forces”.
No one was injured following the accident, but Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said the 97-meter (318-feet) Teresa Magbanua sustained some damage after being rammed “multiple times” by the Chinese vessel.
The US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L Carlson, criticized what she called China’s dangerous actions in the region.
“The US condemns several serious violations of international law by the [People’s Republic of China]including today’s deliberate rolling of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while conducting official duties within[Philippines] EEZ.” he wrote in a post to X.
“We stand with the Philippines in supporting international law.”
China has repeatedly blamed the Philippines and its ally the US for escalating tensions. Last week, a defense ministry spokesman said Washington was “emboldening” Manila to make “defiant remarks”.
Observers are concerned that the dispute could eventually lead to a major conflict in the South China Sea.
The Philippines’ previous attempt to get the United Nations to arbitrate ended with a ruling that China had no legitimate claims within the so-called nine-dash line, the boundary it uses to claim a large area of the South China Sea. Beijing refused to recognize the decision.
But in recent weeks, both countries have made an effort to reduce the conflicts in the sea.
Last month they agreed to allow the Philippines to repopulate the area off Second Thomas Shoal with food, supplies and personnel. Since then this has happened without any reported collisions.
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