Tensions between China and the Philippines escalated on Monday as vessels from both nations collided near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between the two countries in the strategically vital waterway.The collision occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal, a contested area that has been a flashpoint for disputes.
The shoal is home to a garrison on a warship grounded by Manila years ago. Beijing has continued to assert its claims over almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international tribunal ruling that its claims have no legal standing.
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According to China Coast Guard spokesperson Geng Yu, a Philippine vessel “deliberately collided” with a Chinese ship early Monday. Geng accused the Philippine Coast Guard of “illegally entering the waters near the Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands,” referring to the area by its Chinese names. He stated that the China Coast Guard had taken “control measures” against the Philippine vessels in response.
Manila’s National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea countered these claims, reporting that two of its coast guard ships were damaged in the encounter. They described the actions of the Chinese vessels as “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers,” which led to the collisions near the Sabina Shoal. The task force stated that the confrontation caused “structural damage” to both Philippine Coast Guard vessels.
The Sabina Shoal, located 140 kilometers west of the Philippine island of Palawan, has been a point of contention between the two nations. Both countries have stationed coast guard vessels in the area, with the Philippines expressing concern that China may be preparing to build an artificial island there.
‘Dangerous’ Incident Caught on Camera
Footage shared by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, allegedly showing the incident, depicts a ship identified as a Philippine vessel by Chinese authorities colliding with the side of a Chinese ship. A second clip shows another apparent contact between the vessels. Chinese captions accuse the Philippine ship of making a “sudden change of direction,” leading to the crash. Geng Yu described the actions of the Philippine vessels as “unprofessional and dangerous.”
The Philippines, however, placed the blame squarely on Beijing. National Security Council director-general Jonathan Malaya reported that the BRP Cape Engano sustained a 13-centimeter hole in its right beam after a China Coast Guard vessel executed “aggressive maneuvers,” causing the collision. Malaya also reported that a second Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Bagacay, was “rammed twice” by a Chinese vessel shortly after the first incident, resulting in minor structural damage.
Despite the damage, the Filipino crew remained uninjured and continued their mission to resupply Philippine-garrisoned islands in the Spratly group.
Escalating Clashes Raise Concerns
The ongoing confrontations in the South China Sea are fueling concerns that the United States, a key ally of the Philippines, could be drawn into the conflict. Beijing has been intensifying its efforts to assert control over the region, with analysts suggesting that China aims to extend its reach from the Second Thomas Shoal towards the neighboring Sabina Shoal, encroaching on Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
This situation echoes the events of 2012, when Beijing took control of Scarborough Shoal, another strategic area in the South China Sea close to the Philippines. As tensions continue to rise, the risk of further escalation remains a significant concern for the region.
