News Philippines | South China Sea Collision: Filipino and Chinese Vessels Clash, Beijing Accuses Philippines of “Illegal Intrusion”
In a dramatic turn of events, a Philippine vessel collided with a Chinese ship in the disputed waters of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea early this morning. Beijing has accused the Philippine ship of “illegal intrusion” into Chinese territorial waters and intentionally endangering the Chinese vessel. The Chinese Coast Guard has placed full responsibility on the Philippines for the incident, without detailing the extent of the damage to both ships.
The Chinese Coast Guard stated, “At 5:59 AM, a Philippine supply ship illegally entered the waters near Ren’ai Reef in the Spratly Islands. Despite multiple stern warnings from the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and approached our ship in a dangerous and unprofessional manner, leading to a collision. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side.”
China asserts nearly complete sovereignty over the South China Sea, dismissing protests from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines. The international community, however, has ruled that China’s territorial claims have no legal basis. Regular patrols by Chinese Coast Guard and other vessels in the South China Sea, along with the militarization of various islands and reefs, have heightened tensions in the region. Previous incidents have included the use of water cannons by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships and collisions resulting in injuries to Philippine military personnel.
In a move to bolster its maritime law enforcement, China’s Coast Guard announced new administrative law enforcement procedures on May 15, effective from June 15. These regulations permit the detention of foreign nationals suspected of intruding into the South China Sea for up to 60 days pending investigation and allow the use of lethal force by the Chinese Coast Guard within their jurisdiction.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has expressed grave concerns over these new regulations, describing them as a significant escalation. The Philippine government has also condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions as “brutal and inhumane” against Philippine vessels.
The South China Sea remains a vital maritime route, with over $3 trillion worth of trade passing through annually. It is also believed to hold vast untapped reserves of oil and natural gas beneath its seabed. The region is claimed in parts by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, further complicating the territorial disputes.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, hoping to prevent further escalation in one of the world’s most contentious maritime regions.
