Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided at sea, damaging at least two vessels in an encounter near a new flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea. The incident occurred near Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll in the Spratly Islands, where Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims. Both sides blamed each other for the collision, with China accusing the Philippines of deliberately crashing into a Chinese vessel, while the Philippines refuted these claims.
The Philippine coast guard ships, BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño, encountered aggressive maneuvers from Chinese coast guard vessels while en route to Patag and Lawak islands, resulting in collisions that caused structural damage to both Philippine vessels. The Chinese coast guard spokesperson claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Sabina Shoal, and accused the Philippines of infringing on their territory.
The incident at Sabina Shoal is part of the ongoing territorial disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Philippines had deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua to Sabina after suspicions arose that China might be preparing to build a structure at the atoll. The area near Sabina is close to the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, which has been a site of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships.
Despite a recent agreement between China and the Philippines to prevent further confrontations in the region, Monday's collision raises concerns about the effectiveness of the deal. The United States has expressed support for the Philippines, condemning China's actions near Sabina Shoal. China's assertiveness in pursuing its territorial claims in the South China Sea has led to tensions with several countries in the region.
The 2016 arbitration ruling by a United Nations tribunal invalidated Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, but China rejected the ruling, leading to continued disputes in the region.
