The Chinese coastguard has accused its Philippine counterpart of “unprofessional and dangerous” behaviour after a “deliberate” collision in the South China Sea early on Monday morning, near the disputed Sabina Shoal.
“We solemnly warn the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement and provocation, or else the [Philippines] will bear all the consequences,” spokesman Gan Yu said.
Meanwhile, the Philippines blamed the Chinese coastguard for “dangerous and illegal manoeuvres” that led to “collisions, causing structural damage”, including a counterclaim of ramming at Second Thomas Shoal later that morning.
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Statements released on Monday by both maritime protection services agreed that an incident occurred at 3.24am after two Philippine vessels entered the waters off Sabina Shoal – known as Xianbin Reef in China and Escoda Shoal by the Philippines.
According to the China Coast Guard, which also released two short videos of the incident, one of the Philippine vessels ignored repeated warnings and rammed Chinese vessel 21551.
Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the Philippines’ National Security Council, said vessel 4411 was subjected to “aggressive manoeuvres” while navigating about 23 nautical miles southeast of Sabina Shoal.
“This resulted in a collision with the starboard beam of the vessel, creating a hole on the deck with an approximate diameter of five inches (12.7cm),” he said.
In a second incident, Philippine vessel 4410 “was rammed twice on both her port and starboard sides” by a Chinese ship, “leading to minor structural damage”, according to Malaya.
The Chinese coastguard issued a separate statement on Monday morning that said vessel 4410 approached Second Thomas Shoal – also subject of competing claims between the two countries – at about 6am.
Chinese coastguards took control measures against the Philippine vessel in accordance with the law, the statement said.
The Chinese coastguard accused the Philippine side of “repeatedly provoking trouble” and “violating” a temporary agreement reached last month over the delivery of supplies to a Philippines-controlled ship grounded at Second Thomas Shoal.
Gan said the Chinese coastguard would continue to carry out law enforcement activities for the “protection of rights and interests in the waters under China’s jurisdiction”, and “resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.
Sabina Shoal – an uninhabited atoll in the disputed Spratly Islands that is also claimed by Vietnam – has emerged as a new flashpoint between China and the Philippines in recent months.
It serves as the meeting point for Philippine vessels on resupply missions to troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a second world war vessel deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila’s territorial claims.
A stand-off between the two sides’ coastguards began at Sabina Shoal in April, with the arrival of one of the Philippines’ most advanced coastguard ships, the BRP Teresa Magbanua.
According to Manila, the vessel was responding to reports that China was carrying out land reclamation works. Beijing has rejected that accusation and said the Philippines is trying to establish a permanent outpost there, which in turn has been denied.
On Thursday, the Beijing-based South China Sea Probing Initiative, suggested the Philippines was sending a new coastguard vessel to replace the BRP Teresa Magbanua, and predicted a “forceful response” from China.
The Philippines coastguard said its vessel MRRV-4110 the BRP Bagacay was damaged in a collision with one of its Chinese counterparts in the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AP alt=The Philippines coastguard said its vessel MRRV-4110 the BRP Bagacay was damaged in a collision with one of its Chinese counterparts in the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AP>
In response to the report, Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday that China was “closely monitoring” developments and would “take resolute and strong measures”.
In a statement posted to social media platform X on Sunday, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said that the shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal for as long as necessary, without requiring permission from any other country,” he said.
On Monday, Tarriela posted pictures on X of the damage to vessel 4410, including “a hole measuring 2.5ft in length and 3ft in width” on the port side, and a 1ft dent and damage to 13 stanchion posts on the starboard quarter.
The Philippines coastguard said its ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) was damaged in a collision with a Chinese vessel near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AFP alt=The Philippines coastguard said its ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) was damaged in a collision with a Chinese vessel near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AFP>
In his statement, Malaya said the two Philippine vessels were “delivering essential supplies” to personnel stationed on Flat Island and Nanshan Island – both part of the disputed Spratly Islands – when they encountered their Chinese counterparts.
Malaya also reaffirmed Manila’s commitment that the resupply missions to both islands would continue.
“The Philippine Coast Guard stands firm in its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain while addressing any threats to our national interests,” he said.
“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea urges restraint and adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international laws to prevent further escalations and ensure the safety of all vessels operating in the region,” Malaya added.
Flat Island and Nanshan Island – the second smallest and eighth largest natural islands in the Spratlys, respectively – are controlled by Manila and claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam.
This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
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