Beijing, Manila trade charges after vessels collide in South China Sea

Beijing/Manila, August 19

The Philippines and China accused each other on Monday of ramming vessels and performing dangerous manoeuvres in the South China Sea, the latest flare-up after the two nations had agreed to try to ease tensions and manage disagreements at sea.

China’s Coast Guard said in a statement a Philippine vessel which had ignored its repeated warnings “deliberately collided” with a Chinese vessel in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner in the disputed waterway.

The Philippines disputed Beijing’s account and accused it of “imposing its version of facts.” It said two of its coast guard vessels “encountered unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres” from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two occupied islands.

“These dangerous manoeuvres resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) vessels,” a spokesperson for Manila’s South China Sea task force. — Reuters