Video: South China Sea tensions flare as Manila accuses Beijing of ramming vessel near Thitu island

Tensions in the resource-rich and strategically vital South China Sea, which is partially claimed by many Southeast Asian countries and China, reignited on Sunday (October 12) as Beijing and Manila traded accusations over a maritime conflict near the disputed islands. In the incident, which occurred near Philippine-controlled Thitu Island (known locally as Pag-asa), both countries blamed each other for a collision at sea involving water cannons and coast guard ships.

The Philippine Maritime Council, an intergovernmental body, accused Chinese naval forces of “engaging in dangerous manoeuvres,” firing water cannons and ramming a Philippine ship, and “strongly condemned” the incident, pledging “appropriate diplomatic action,” Reuters reported.

Chinese ship fired water cannon at Philippine coast guard

The Manila coast guard said three ships anchored near Thitu Island early Sunday as part of a government initiative to help local fishermen when Chinese vessels approached and used water cannons to scare them away. About an hour later, a Chinese coast guard ship rammed the stern of a Philippine ship after firing water cannon directly at it, causing minor damage but no injuries, officials said.

China took ‘control measures’ in accordance with the law

But Beijing accused the Philippine ships of “illegally entering” waters near Sandy Cay, a coral reef in the northern Thitu Reefs of the Spratly Islands, and claimed a collision occurred after Manila ships “ignored repeated stern warnings.” The Chinese coast guard said it was taking “control measures” to remove Philippine ships “in accordance with the law.”

No injuries reported

The conflict involved the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, part of the Philippine fisheries support fleet operating around Thitu Island. Although no injuries were reported among Filipino crew members, the incident marked another flashpoint in the long-running territorial dispute between China, the Philippines and several other Southeast Asian countries.

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China maintains its claim to sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, despite an international arbitration ruling invalidating its sweeping claims in 2016. The resolution, supported by the United States and its allies including Japan, Australia, the European Union and Canada, has been consistently rejected by Beijing.

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