More tension is expected in the South China Sea following a collision between two Chinese vessels, with analysts predicting the incident was likely to prompt Beijing to further increase its presence in the contested waterway.
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Experts also warned that the incident could push China to enhance coordination between its navy and coastguard to prevent similar accidents in future.
On Monday, Manila claimed that a China Coast Guard vessel sustained severe damage to its bow after colliding with a larger People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship the Guilin, a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, while chasing a Philippine coastguard ship.
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Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine coastguard in contested South China Sea
Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine coastguard in contested South China Sea
The incident occurred in contested waters near Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines or Huangyan Island in China.
China has yet to confirm the collision. Gan Yu, the coastguard spokesman, only mentioned a move to expel the Philippine vessel on Monday, saying China had taken “necessary” measures – including tracking, monitoring, intercepting and blocking – and describing its actions as “professional, standardised, legitimate and legal”.
He said the coastguard would continue its law enforcement activities to “safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.
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Chester Cabalza, founder and president of International Development and Security Cooperation, a Manila-based think tank, said China was likely to push for a greater maritime presence in the region to project power.