China has been involved in a confrontation with the Philippines in the South China Sea after its warship collided with a Philippine coast guard vessel while chasing another ship from the Philippines. The collision occurred on Monday while a Philippine coast guard team was distributing aid to fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
The incident took place despite China’s claims that it acted in accordance with the law and followed maritime conventions. However, footage released by Manila showed the Chinese warship firing water cannons as it chased the Philippine vessel before slamming into another ship, rendering it “unseaworthy”.
This is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a recent escalation of tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea. The conflict has led to several dangerous encounters over the past two years, including a 2024 skirmish where Filipino soldiers fought off Chinese coast guard personnel armed with swords and knives.
The Philippines Coast Guard continues to urge China’s authorities to respect international conventions and handle territorial disputes responsibly. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the two nations in the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev22n0lm1xo