The Philippines and China on Saturday exchanged accusations of deliberately ramming coast guard vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
The encounter off Sabine Bank was their fifth maritime confrontation in a month in a long-running rivalry in a series of escalating clashes on the vital waterway. Both sides have made accusations against each other.
The Chinese Coast Guard said the Philippine vessel, which ran aground illegally off Sabina Shoal, unmoored and deliberately rammed the Chinese vessel. Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun in the statement urged the Philippines to leave the shoal immediately and said the Chinese Coast Guard would take all necessary measures.
The Philippine Coast Guard said in turn that the Chinese vessel deliberately rammed one of Manila’s vessels, but Manila would not recall its vessel. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the Chinese Coast Guard ignored collision avoidance rules and made dangerous manoeuvres, resulting in damage, but no injuries reported.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Sections of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade takes place annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.
