Chinese, Philippine ships collide near disputed South China sea territory

Beijing: The Chinese Coast Guard on Tuesday accused a Philippine vessel of intentionally ramming one of its ships near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a hotspot long claimed by both nations.

According to a statement released by China’s coast guard, over 10 Philippine government vessels approached the shoal from multiple directions, prompting Chinese forces to respond with water cannon deployments to block their advance.

The confrontation comes just six days after Beijing declared a portion of Scarborough Shoal, which it refers to as Huangyan Island, as a national nature reserve, a move likely to intensify tensions with Manila.

There was no immediate comment from the Philippines. The government in Manila said last week it was filing a diplomatic protest against the designation of a nature reserve at what it calls Bajo de Masinloc.

China and the Philippines have clashed repeatedly around outcroppings in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. The two countries are among several that have competing claims to territory in the waters, which are of strategic importance and home to valuable fishing grounds.

The Chinese coast guard statement blamed the Philippines for Tuesday's collision, calling its actions both provocative and egregious.

Several friendly countries have backed the Philippines on the nature reserve.

A statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Chinese action “yet another coercive move to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbours.”

Great Britain and Australia expressed concern about the announcement in social media posts. The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said: “We oppose attempts to use environmental protection as a way to take control over the disputed Scarborough Shoal.”(AP)