The #Philippines and #China have clashed over #SouthChinaSea collisions, accusing China of

The #Philippines and #China have clashed over #SouthChinaSea collisions, accusing China of deliberately causing collisions between their vessels. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro stated Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels violated international law by harassing and intentionally hitting Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra. This follows two incidents between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea on Sunday.

#China's #coastguard claimed a "slight collision" between one of its ships and the #Philippine #boat while the coastguard "lawfully" blocked the boat from transporting illegal construction materials. In another incident during the same resupply mission, it said a #Chinese #maritime #militia vessel bumped a #Philippinecoastguard vessel's port side. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, urged the Philippines to take Beijing's concerns seriously, stop dangerous maneuvers, and stop creating more tension in the South China Sea.

#Philippine #President Ferdinand #Marcos met with security officials and ordered the coastguard to investigate the incidents. Manila summoned Beijing's ambassador and filed a diplomatic protest, while #China's #embassy in #Manila lodged a complaint with the Philippines after the collisions.

The incidents occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal in the #Spratly Islands, a group of largely uninhabited islands in the strategically important sea with various overlapping claims by the #Philippines, #China, #Vietnam, #Malaysia, and #Taiwan. China's increasing presence in the region has stoked tensions to new highs, as #Beijing has claimed almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring an international ruling from 2016 that there is no legal basis for its claims.