2024-08-26 22:38:26
China’s coast guard said today it has taken action against a Philippine vessel that ignored its warnings and collided lightly with a Chinese ship in the disputed South China Sea, BTA reported, citing the Associated Press.
The Philippine ship entered the waters around Sabina Atoll, in the Spratly Islands region. It ignored Chinese warnings and sailed towards the Chinese coast guard vessel “unprofessionally and dangerously”, causing a minor collision between the two vessels, the statement said.
“The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines. We warn the Philippine side to immediately stop the violations and provocations, otherwise it will have to bear all the consequences,” the Chinese coast guard said, without specifying what measures Beijing might take.
The Philippine Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources said its vessel acted in this manner to prevent aggressive and dangerous maneuvers by eight Chinese warships. The Chinese side aimed to obstruct a humanitarian mission to deliver fuel, food and medicine to Filipino fishermen, she pointed out.
China is increasingly increasing its military capacity and becoming increasingly assertive in its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which it considers entirely its territory, AP notes. Tensions in the region have led to disputes most notably with the Philippines, although territorial disputes also involve Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
A few days ago, Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided near the disputed Sabina Atoll. Damage was reported to at least two ships, but no one was injured.
Sabina Atoll is located about 140 kilometers west of the Philippine province of Palawan, in the internationally recognized exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
Last month, China and the Philippines reached an agreement to prevent future conflicts in the region.