South China Sea: China and the Philippines blame each other for latest collision in disputed Second Thomas Shoal
- Beijing says a Philippine coastguard vessel ‘deliberately rammed’ one of its ships near the disputed reef
- But Manila hit back saying it was the result of China’s ‘reckless and illegal’ actions while its ships were trying to resupply troops stationed on a grounded warship
Manila blamed the incident near the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal on China’s “reckless and illegal” behaviour but Gan Yu, a spokesman for the Chinese coastguard, said the Philippines had “violated its commitments and deliberately sent two coastguard ships and two supply ships” to the area.
Gan said the Philippine vessel “ignored China’s repeated warnings, violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, and deliberately rammed into China’s coastguard vessel”.
“The Philippines is dishonest in its dialogue, deliberately stirs up trouble, maliciously incites and sensationalises, and continues to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea region,” Gan said.
“The China Coast Guard is always ready to resolutely respond to any infringement and provocation at any time, and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
In response, the Philippine coastguard said two of its vessels – BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan – had been sent to bring supplies to troops stationed on a second world war warship that has been grounded on the reef when the incident occurred.