Chinese and Philippine vessels had a minor collision Monday morning near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the China Coast Guard said, with Beijing and Manila accusing each other of "illegal" and "dangerous" actions amid heightened tensions in the waters.
The Chinese coast guard claimed the incident occurred as the result of an "illegal intrusion" by a Philippine supply ship that "deliberately and dangerously approached" Chinese vessels despite "repeated stern warnings" while they were navigating normally off the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal.
The Philippine ship's actions led to the collision, prompting the coast guard to take control measures under Chinese law against the ship, it added. "The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side," and China's handling of the incident was "reasonable, legal and professional," it said in a statement.
The Philippine government later claimed in a statement that the Chinese military, coast guard and maritime militia vessels engaged in "dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing," and strongly condemned "the illegal, aggressive and reckless actions" of the Chinese maritime forces.
It added Beijing's actions "put at risk the lives of our personnel and damaged our boats, in blatant violation of international law" and that Philippine personnel showed restraint and refrained from escalating tensions.
The Philippine military said earlier in the day, "We will not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims of the China Coast Guard."
"The main issue remains to be the illegal presence and actions of Chinese vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, which infringes on our sovereignty and sovereign rights," the military said, adding "the continued aggressive actions" of the China Coast Guard are escalating tensions in the region.
The U.S. State Department criticized China for "escalatory and irresponsible actions," warning Washington's mutual defense treaty with the Philippines extends to armed attacks on its military, public vessels or aircraft "anywhere in the South China Sea."
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, a vital shipping route with rich fishing grounds, and has repeatedly used water cannons against Philippine vessels near the contested shoal.
On Saturday, China implemented a new regulation allowing its coast guard to detain for up to 60 days foreigners suspected of trespassing in waters that it claims, raising concern in countries such as the Philippines involved in territorial disputes with Beijing.
Meanwhile, the Philippines, Japan, the United States and Canada conducted a two-day joint maritime exercise through Monday in the Southeast Asian country's exclusive economic zone, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The drill involving the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Ralph Johnson and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer Kirisame, among other vessels, reaffirmed the four nations' commitment to bolstering regional security and stability, it added.
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