On Monday, a collision occurred between a Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, according to China’s coast guard. This incident is part of the escalating territorial disputes that have raised concerns.
The coast guard reported that a Philippine supply ship entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, which is claimed by multiple nations.
The Philippines argues that the shoal is within its internationally recognized exclusive economic zone and often references a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea based on historical grounds.
According to the Chinese coast guard, the Philippine ship disregarded warnings and approached a Chinese vessel in a dangerous and unprofessional manner, resulting in the collision. The coast guard placed blame on the Philippines for the incident.
The Philippine military rejected the Chinese coast guard’s account as deceptive and misleading, stating that they were carrying out a legal humanitarian mission within their exclusive economic zone at Ayungin Shoal. The Defense Secretary of the Philippines vowed to resist China’s behavior and protect their territorial integrity.
The United States also condemned China’s actions, describing them as aggressive and dangerous. China’s Foreign Ministry defended their coast guard’s actions as professional and lawful but did not provide details on the extent of the damage.
The recent incidents near the shoal have heightened tensions between China and neighboring countries in the region, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea have strained relations and raised concerns about potential military conflicts.
China’s new law authorizing its coast guard to seize foreign ships and detain crews in their territorial waters has been met with opposition from several countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The ongoing disputes in the region are a major point of contention in the China-U.S. rivalry.
Aside from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei are all involved in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which are seen as a potential flashpoint in Asia. Indonesia has also faced confrontations with Chinese vessels in the region, asserting its exclusive economic zone rights.