China said that the Philippine ships had struck the Chinese ship “deliberately” close to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. A “provisional arrangement” had been reached between Manila and Beijing to put an end to altercations.
According to Chinese state media, a conflict near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Monday resulted in the collision of Chinese and Philippine ships.
Beijing and Manila have engaged in several altercations at the Second Thomas Shoal.
Beijing accused one of the Philippine vessels of “deliberately” colliding with a Chinese ship.
“Despite multiple warnings from the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel 4410 deliberately collided with China’s 21551 vessel,” state broadcaster CCTV said, citing Chinese coast guard spokesperson Geng Yu.
“Philippine Coast Guard vessels… illegally entered the waters near the Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government,” the CCTV report said, using the Chinese names for the Sabina Shoal and the Spratly Islands.China accused the Philippine vessels of acting “in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a glancing collision”.
According to the Chinese coast guard, it intervened against the Philippine ships “in accordance with the law.”
The Philippines was urged to “bear all consequences” or “immediately stop infringement and provocation.”
