Chinese and Philippine ships collide in first incident under Beijing’s new coastguard law
- Amid Chinese fears grounded Philippine ship will be fortified, Beijing says coastguard intervened in effort to deliver construction material
The incident took place early on Monday morning during the Philippines’ latest resupply mission to a grounded navy vessel on the shoal, an atoll in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea that is claimed by both Beijing and Manila.
“The Philippine supply ship ignored multiple stern warnings from the Chinese side … dangerously and in an unprofessional manner approached Chinese vessels navigating normally, resulting in a collision,” the coastguard said in a statement. It did not mention damage or injuries on either side.
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It said the Philippine ship had “illegally entered” waters near Second Thomas Shoal and that the Chinese coastguard took “control measures” against the Philippine vessel in accordance with the law.
During a regular Chinese foreign ministry press conference on Monday afternoon, spokesman Lin Jian said: “China Coast Guard only took necessary control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, and the on-site operation was conducted in a professional, restrained, reasonable and lawful manner.”
He said a Philippine supply and replenishment ship and two speedboats had attempted to deliver materials, including construction supplies, to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal.
Beijing fears construction materials being sent to the shoal could be used to fortify the Philippine ship and sustain its presence, and China often attempts to block deliveries.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines was quoted by Philippine media outlets on Monday as saying Beijing’s claims were “deceptive and misleading”.
