China, Philippines trade accusations over latest South China Sea clash
The Hindu
China-Philippines trade accusations over collision in South China Sea. Manila condemns China's "dangerous, irresponsible and illegal actions" in violation of Philippine sovereignty. China claims sovereignty over almost entire South China Sea, but 2016 court ruling says no legal basis. Last week, Philippine military demanded China stop "dangerous and offensive" actions. Sunday's collision occurred during routine resupply mission of Philippine boat. China's coast guard said Philippine vessel ignored warnings, provoking collision. Manila said Chinese action "imperilled" safety of crew.
China and the Philippines traded accusations over a collision in disputed waters of the South China Sea as Chinese vessels blocked a Philippine boat supplying forces there on October 22, the latest in a series of maritime confrontations.
The two countries have had numerous run-ins in areas of the South China Sea in recent months, especially the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.
The Philippines has been sending supplies to troops stationed on a rusted World War Two-era transport ship used as an outpost on the shoal, prompting China's coast guard to repeatedly deploy vessels to block the resupply missions.
In the incident on Sunday morning, China's coast guard said there had been a "slight collision" between one of its ships and the Philippine boat while the coast guard was "lawfully" blocking the boat from transporting "illegal construction materials" to the warship.
Manila responded by condemning "in the strongest degree" the "dangerous blocking manoeuvres" of the Chinese vessel.
China's "dangerous, irresponsible and illegal actions" were "in violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction", Manila's Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis.
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