Philippines and China claim ‘dangerous’ South China Sea incidents involving many vessels

The Philippines and China accused each other of risky maneuvers and a collision in disputed South China Sea seas on Sunday, the latest in a series of maritime clashes that have heightened regional tensions.

NTF-WPS spokesperson Jay Tarriela said Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels had “harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers on Philippine civilian supply vessels – in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission” to the Second Thomas Shoal in a statement on X.

A Philippine ship “ignored numerous warnings from China” and “deliberately swerved and collided in an unprofessional, dangerous manner” with a Chinese boat. “The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines,” the Chinese Coast Guard declared.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported two water cannon-damaged vessels.

The Chinese Coast Guard said Philippine ships had “illegally intruded” into its seas and was taking “control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law.”

China's militarization of disputed islands and confrontation with regional competitors over their claims in the strategically vital and resource-rich South China Sea have escalated maritime tensions.

Beijing claims “indisputable sovereignty” over most of the 1.3 million square miles of the South China Sea, including several islands and sandbars hundreds of kilometers from the mainland.