A Chinese language ship “intentionally rammed” a Philippine authorities vessel anchored close to an island in a disputed a part of the South China Sea, Manila’s coast guard stated on Sunday.
Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese language vessels happen often within the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety regardless of a world ruling that the declare has no authorized foundation.
The Philippines stated a Chinese language coast guard ship “fired its water cannon” on the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a vessel belonging to Manila’s fisheries bureau, at 9.15am on Sunday.
“Simply three minutes later … the identical [Chinese] vessel intentionally rammed the strict” of the Philippine boat, “inflicting minor structural injury however no accidents to the crew”, the assertion stated.
“Regardless of these bullying techniques and aggressive actions … we won’t be intimidated or pushed away.”
Beijing blamed the Philippines for the collision. Liu Dejun, a Chinese language coast guard spokesperson, stated the Philippine ship “ignored repeated stern warnings from the Chinese language facet, and dangerously approached” the opposite ship.
Manila’s coast guard stated the incident occurred close to Thitu Island, a part of the Spratly island group the place Beijing has sought to claim its sovereignty claims for years.
