The Philippines condemned China on Tuesday for a confrontation in the South China Sea that led to an extraordinary collision between two Chinese ships in the contested waters.
Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a Chinese coast guard ship chasing a Philippine patrol boat before colliding with a Chinese warship in a loud crash. The footage, which the Philippines said was taken Monday, later shows what appears to be extensive damage to the bow of the Chinese coast guard ship.
In a statement about the collision, which occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint between the nations, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it was “seriously concerned” by the “dangerous maneuvers” of the two Chinese vessels, which were both tailing the Philippine ship.
“Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels,” the statement said. The coast guard did not include any reports of injuries.
Gan Yu, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, told the official Xinhua news agency that China’s actions were professional and legitimate, saying that the coast guard would continue such activities “to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” His comments did not mention the collision.
The Scarborough Shoal has been under the control of Beijing since a 2012 naval standoff, though it is closer to Manila and is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino communities. Xinhua quoted Mr. Gan as saying that the Chinese ship had expelled the Philippine vessel after it intruded into the area.
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