Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided near Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll in the Spratly Islands, early Monday. Both sides blamed each other for the incident, which resulted in damage to at least two boats. The collision occurred in an area where Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.
China's coast guard accused the Philippines of deliberately crashing one of its ships into a Chinese vessel. The Philippines, on the other hand, stated that their coast guard ships encountered aggressive maneuvers from Chinese vessels, leading to collisions that caused structural damage to both Philippine ships.
The collision between a Philippine ship and a Chinese vessel created a hole on the deck of the Philippine ship, while another Philippine ship was rammed twice on its sides by a different Chinese vessel, resulting in minor structural damage.
The Philippines' National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its maritime domain while addressing threats to national interests.
China asserted its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Sabina Shoal, and stated that the Philippine ship had entered waters near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, ignoring warnings from the Chinese coast guard.
Sabina Shoal, located west of Palawan, has become a new flashpoint in the territorial disputes between China and the Philippines. The area has witnessed escalating confrontations between the two countries' coast guard ships.
China's maritime claims in the South China Sea have been a source of contention with several countries in the region. Despite a 2016 arbitration ruling by a United Nations tribunal invalidating Beijing's claims, China has continued to assert its territorial rights in the area.
The recent collision between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships underscores the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the challenges in resolving territorial disputes in the region.
