Watch: Philippines and Chinese vessels collide in South China Sea

China on Saturday accused a Philippine Coast Guard vessel of intentionally colliding with a Chinese ship, further escalating tensions over contested areas in the South China Sea.
Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said that the Philippine ship with hull number 9701 collided with the Chinese ship 5205 just after 12.06 pm (04:06 GMT) on Saturday. Liu claimed that the Philippine ship manoeuvred in an "unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a collision," while asserting that the Chinese ship was operating within regulations, without providing any specifics.
In response, the Philippines has levelled charges against China, accusing the Chinese Coast Guard vessel of deliberately ramming and colliding with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, despite no provocation from the Philippine Coast Guard.

Jay Tarriela, a Philippine Coast Guard official, said, "This afternoon, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel deliberately rammed and collided with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, despite no provocation from the Philippine Coast Guard."

Tarriela also shared images on X depicting the damage sustained by BRP Teresa Magbanua due to the "unprovoked ramming by China Coast Guard 5205."

China's rapid military expansion and increasing assertiveness in pursuing its claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, which is vital to international trade, have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines, whose security the US is treaty-bound to ensure.

The long-standing territorial disputes also involve other claimants, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei. China has rejected a ruling by a UN-backed arbitration panel that negated almost all of Beijing's historically-based claims in the South China Sea.
The head of US Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, recently said that the US military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed waters amid the increase in hostilities.
Chinese coast guard, navy, and suspected militia ships regularly clash with Philippine vessels during attempts to resupply Filipino sailors stationed in parts of the South China Sea claimed by both countries. As these clashes grow