Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. Both countries blamed each other for the incident, with China accusing the Philippines of deliberately crashing into a Chinese vessel. The Philippines’ National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said that two of its ships encountered aggressive maneuvers from Chinese coast guard vessels, resulting in collisions and damage.
The Chinese coast guard claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Sabina Shoal. The incident occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal, which has seen increasing confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships. China and the Philippines reached an agreement to prevent further confrontations in the area, with the Philippines transporting supplies to its territorial outpost without incident.
China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea have sparked tensions with several countries in the region. The Philippines deployed a patrol ship to Sabina Shoal after discovering crushed corals in the area, prompting a response from the Chinese coast guard. Tensions in the disputed area have raised concerns about potential conflict between the two countries.
Overall, the collision between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships near Sabina Shoal highlights the ongoing disputes over territorial claims in the South China Sea, with both countries accusing each other of provocative actions leading to damage. Efforts to prevent further confrontations and ease tensions in the area are ongoing.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com