The Chinese coastguard has accused its Philippine counterpart of “unprofessional and dangerous” behaviour after a “deliberate” collision in the South China Sea early on Monday morning, near the disputed Sabina Shoal.
“We solemnly warn the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement and provocation, or else the [Philippines] will bear all the consequences,” spokesman Gan Yu said.
According to the Chinese coastguard, the encounter began when two vessels from its Philippine counterpart entered the waters off Sabina Shoal – known as Xianbin Reef in China and Escoda Shoal by the Philippines.
At 3.24am, one of the Philippine vessels, No. 4410, ignored repeated warnings and rammed vessel 21551 from its Chinese counterpart, according to the China Coast Guard, which also released two short videos of the incident.
In a separate statement on Monday morning, the Chinese coastguard said the Philippine vessel 4410 approached Second Thomas Shoal – also subject of competing claims between the two countries – at about 6am.
Chinese coastguards took control measures against the Philippine vessel in accordance with the law, the statement said.
The Chinese coastguard accused the Philippine side of “repeatedly provoking trouble” and “violating” a temporary agreement reached last month over the delivery of supplies to a Philippines-controlled ship grounded at Second Thomas Shoal.
Gan said the Chinese coastguard would continue to carry out law enforcement activities for the “protection of rights and interests in the waters under China’s jurisdiction”, and “resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.
