Philippines, China trade blame after vessels collide in South China Sea

The Philippines and China accused each other on Monday of ramming vessels and performing dangerous maneuvers in the South China Sea, the latest flare-up after the two nations agreed last month to try to manage disagreements at sea.

China's Coast Guard said in a statement a Philippine vessel which had ignored its repeated warnings had "deliberately collided" with a Chinese vessel in an "unprofessional and dangerous" manner in the disputed waterway early on Monday.

The Philippines disputed Beijing's account and accused it of "imposing its version of facts." It said two of its coast guard vessels "encountered unlawful and aggressive maneuvers" from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal, while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two occupied islands.

"These dangerous maneuvers resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) vessels," said Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for the national security council and Manila's South China Sea task force.

At a regular news briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that China would continue to take lawful "resolute and forceful measures" to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

"We hope that the Philippines can keep its commitments (and)earnestly abide by the temporary arrangements reached with China," Mao said.

The United States condemned China's actions. Its ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said on X the U.S. "stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard's dangerous maneuvers," which endangered lives and caused damage to coast guard vessels.

Manila said coast guard vessels Cape Engano and Bagacay were on their way to resupply personnel stationed on Flat Island - which Manila calls Patag - and Lawak Island, which China calls Nanshan, when the confrontation happened near Sabina Shoal.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

The collision occurred between the Cape Engano and a Chinese ship at around 3:24 a.m. Monday (1924 GMT Sunday), Manila said.

Around 16 minutes later, a Chinese coast guard ship rammed Manila's Bagacay twice, damaging its auxiliary room, where a 3-foot (1 metre) - wide hole was