In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, a Chinese warship collided with its own coast guard vessel while attempting to chase a Filipino boat in the contentious South China Sea. The incident occurred as Philippine coast guard officials were engaged in distributing aid to local fishermen in the disputed Scarborough Shoal area. Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine coast guard reported that the Chinese vessel executed a "risky manoeuvre" which left substantial damage on the warship’s forward deck.
China has acknowledged that a confrontation took place but accused the Philippines of "forcibly intruding" into its territorial waters, refraining from commenting on the collision itself. The South China Sea continues to be a hotspot for unresolved territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, and several other nations. Tensions have escalated sharply over the years, with both countries trading accusations of aggressive conduct at sea, including incidents involving weapons.
The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular assemblage of reefs and rocks, has long been a contentious point between the two nations since China seized control of it in 2012. Video footage released by Manila showed a Chinese coast guard ship utilizing water cannons as it pursued a Philippine vessel, ultimately colliding with a larger Chinese warship after a sudden turn, leading to the latter being rendered "unseaworthy".
Although no injuries have been reported from the incident, Tarriela asserted that the Philippine Coast Guard has continuously urged Chinese authorities to abide by international maritime laws regarding territorial disputes. He cautioned that reckless behavior at sea could result in dangerous accidents.
In response, the Chinese coast guard claimed their actions were lawful and necessary to drive Philippine vessels away from disputed areas. This incident is the latest in a series of hazardous encounters over the past two years between Beijing and Manila, as both countries strive to assert their claims over contested maritime zones.
Earlier incidents include reports from December 2022 where China allegedly used water cannons and engaged in aggressive maneuvers against a Philippine government vessel near Scarborough Shoal. In June 2024, Filipino soldiers were involved in a physical altercation with armed Chinese personnel, further exemplifying the rising tensions in the area.
