Manila/Beijing: Tensions flared once again in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, as the Philippines accused a Chinese coast guard vessel of deliberately ramming a government ship, a charge that Beijing swiftly denied, blaming Manila for the incident instead.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese vessel "fired its water cannon" at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a fisheries bureau vessel anchored near Thitu Island, around 9:15 am (0115 GMT).

“Just three minutes later... the same (Chinese) vessel deliberately rammed the stern of the Philippine boat, causing minor structural damage but no injuries to the crew,” the coast guard said in a statement.

The encounter reportedly occurred near Thitu Island, part of the Spratly Islands, a flashpoint in the region where China has long sought to assert its sovereignty claims.

Photos and videos released by Manila’s coast guard showed a China Coast Guard ship shadowing the Philippine vessel, with its water cannon activated.

“Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions... we will not be intimidated or driven away,” the Philippine Coast Guard asserted.

Beijing, however, dismissed Manila’s allegations and accused the Philippines of provoking the incident.

Chinese coast guard spokesman Liu Dejun said the collision took place after the Philippine vessel “ignored repeated stern warnings from the Chinese side, and dangerously approached” the Chinese ship.

“Full responsibility lies with the Philippine side,” Liu said in an online statement.

Frequent confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels have marked the contested waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international tribunal ruling that its claims have no legal basis.