The Chinese Maritime Police accused a Philippine ship of intentionally colliding with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel during a regular voyage near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. This statement was reported by TASS, citing the maritime police’s announcement.
According to the Chinese maritime police, on the morning of December 10th, a group of four Philippine ships illegally entered the waters near the Spratly Islands, close to the Zhen’ai Reef.
“The Chinese Coast Guard took lawful control measures towards the Philippine ships,” the statement said.
The Chinese authorities also stated that the Philippine vessel, Unaizah Mae 1, ignored numerous strict warnings from the maritime police and intentionally collided with the Chinese Coast Guard vessel in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, violating the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
It is reported that these actions resulted in damage to the ship.
On December 9th, the Philippines accused China of attacking three Philippine ships with water cannons near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in Chinese).
On December 3rd, the Philippine Coast Guard claimed that over 135 Chinese maritime militia vessels were currently present in the South China Sea near the disputed Julian Felipe Reef (known as Whitsun Reef in China). They clarified that they had recorded 111 militia vessels in the area on November 13th, but the number has since exceeded 135. In response, the Philippines deployed several patrol boats to the area.
Previously, the Philippines accused China of using a laser weapon in the South China Sea.
