The Chinese coastguard on Saturday issued its fourth warning in a week against Philippine vessel movements near the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, as both sides accused the other of yet another “deliberate collision”.
According to China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman Liu Dejun, the Philippine coastguard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) “deliberately collided with the Chinese CCG 5205” around noon on Saturday, after “continuous manoeuvres and … provocations” since the morning.
The Chinese side had issued warnings and followed the Philippine coastguard vessel before the collision, he said.
Saturday’s was the third collision between the two sides in two weeks, as tensions grow over rival territorial claims in the vast, resource-rich South China Sea.
09:23
History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing
History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing
“We once again warn the Philippines to face up to reality and give up on illusions, and that withdrawing [the BRP Teresa Magbanua] immediately on its own is the only correct way,” Liu said.
“Refrain from miscalculating the situation, creating hotspots, and escalating the situation, or else the Philippine side will bear all the consequences arising therefrom.”
Jay Tarriela, a spokesman for the Philippines coastguard, put the blame on the Chinese coastguard.
“This afternoon, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel deliberately rammed and collided with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, despite no provocation from the Philippine Coast Guard,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
According to three videos posted by Tarriela, at least three collisions took place, with the CCG 5205 ramming the port bow and the midships of the Teresa Magbanua, and the two vessels coming together in a V-shape.
Watermarks on the videos showed they were taken on Saturday between 12.07pm and 12.22pm.
Manila has stationed the Teresa Magbanua, one of its biggest coastguard cutters, at the Sabina Shoal since April to assert its territorial claims, sparking protest and regular patrols by China.
The coral atoll – called Xianbin Reef by China and Escoda Shoal by the Philippines – is part of the resource-rich Spratly Islands, called Nansha Islands by Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea.
The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are among the rival claimants to the Spratlys.
Sabina Shoal lies east of another hotly contested Spratly reef, the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal – called Renai Jiao by China and Ayungin Shoal by the Philippines.
Repeated stand-offs between the two countries this month have further worsened tensions around Sabina Shoal, after a string of confrontations in contested areas of the South China Sea over the past year.
The recent clashes include collisions on August 19 and on Sunday, with both sides exchanging blame each time.
01:57
South China Sea: China, Philippines trade blame after second collision at Sabina Shoal
South China Sea: China, Philippines trade blame after second collision at Sabina Shoal
In Sunday’s face-off, the Philippines accused the Chinese coastguard of “ramming, blasting horns, and deploying water cannons” against its fisheries bureau vessel, the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002), eventually leading to engine failure and forcing an “early termination” of its “humanitarian mission” to supply fishermen at Sabina shoal with fuel, food and medical supplies.
In another confrontation on Monday, China said it “took control measures” after two Philippine coastguard vessels approached the Teresa Magbanua in an “illegal intrusion”.
Manila eventually used a helicopter to resupply the ship on Thursday, resulting in the third warning of the week to the Philippines to “immediately withdraw” the Teresa Magbanua.
The Philippines has also accused China of launching flares “dangerously close” to its aircraft patrolling near the Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal and Subi Reef on at least two occasions this month.
Beijing says the “illegal” anchoring of the Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal “seriously violates China’s sovereignty”.
Defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday that the Philippine move had “opened a ‘Pandora’s box’” in the disputed South China Sea while China had “lodged solemn representations multiple times”.
“The Philippine side should withdraw its ship and personnel as soon as possible, and restore the unoccupied status of Xianbin Jiao with no infrastructure,” he said, adding that the “Chinese side will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests”.
The two countries are also involved in a dispute over allegedly damaged coral reefs at Sabina Shoal, with each side blaming the other.
