Recent collisions between vessels of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have sparked a blame game over incidents near the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. The CCG accused the PCG of deliberately colliding with one of its ships, while the PCG claimed the Chinese vessel rammed their ship without provocation.
These clashes are part of a series of confrontations that have occurred in the past week near Sabina Shoal, located just 86 miles from the Philippines' west coast and 745 miles from China. The US State Department has condemned China for its actions, accusing them of disrupting lawful Philippine operations in the region.
China's claims over the South China Sea have been a point of contention, with the country asserting sovereignty despite international rulings to the contrary. The recent escalation in tensions follows a temporary agreement between China and the Philippines to ease tensions at another nearby reef.
The US, as a mutual defense ally of the Philippines, has called on China to adhere to international law and refrain from provocative actions. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to trade accusations and engage in confrontations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
