The South China Sea has once again become a flashpoint of tension as China and the Philippines once again accused each other of causing a collision between their coast guard vessels near the disputed Sabina Shoal on Saturday. The incident marks the latest in a series of confrontations in the region.
The collision involved the Philippine coast guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua and a Chinese coast guard ship. According to Philippine officials, the Chinese vessel deliberately rammed the Magbanua three times without provocation. Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard appears to support this claim, showing the Chinese vessel attempting to block and collide with the Magbanua. Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, condemned the actions of the Chinese ship, describing them as a “deliberate” and “escalatory” attempt to intimidate the Philippine vessel.
Another day, another series of ramming incidents in the South China Sea. Once again, The Philippines & China are trading blame after a series of collisions between a Chinese coast guard vessel and a Phillippine vessel in the disputed South China Sea.
What’s the deal: Footage… pic.twitter.com/MiuRQrDfIU
— Real News No Bullshit (@NewsNotBs) August 31, 2024
In contrast, China’s Coast Guard has accused the Philippines of causing the collision, stating that the Magbanua maneuvered in a “deliberately unprofessional and dangerous manner.” A statement from the Chinese Coast Guard claimed that their vessel was conducting lawful monitoring and control measures and issued warnings to the Philippine ship before the incident. China has urged the Philippines to withdraw its “illegal” ship and not to misinterpret the situation, warning that any escalation would be the Philippines’ responsibility.
The collision occurred near Sabina Shoal, located within the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone (EEZ), but also claimed by China under its controversial nine-dash line. The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between the two countries in the South China Sea, where China has increasingly asserted its territorial claims by militarizing artificial islands and maintaining a strong maritime presence.
The U.S. State Department swiftly condemned the collision, describing China’s actions as “dangerous and escalatory” and reaffirming its commitment to defend the Philippines under the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. The U.S. also emphasized the importance of upholding international law and warned that China’s aggressive behavior threatens freedom of navigation in the region.
The Philippines has maintained a coast guard presence at Sabina Shoal since mid-April, after discovering signs that China might attempt to build an artificial island there. The BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the Philippines’ largest coast guard vessels, has been stationed at the shoal’s lagoon to assert Philippine sovereignty and prevent any potential Chinese construction. China’s response has included blocking Philippine resupply efforts and maintaining a continuous maritime presence near the shoal.
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