China, Philippines accuse each other of ramming ships in South China Sea

The Philippines and China exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday, the latest in an escalating series of clashes in the vital waterway.

BEIJING — The Philippines and China exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday, the latest in an escalating series of clashes in the vital waterway.

The collision near the Sabina Shoal was their fifth maritime confrontation in a month in a longstanding rivalry.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 found China’s sweeping claims had no legal basis, a ruling Beijing rejects.

A China Coast Guard ship and the Philippine Coast Guard ship during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug. 26, 2024.Jam Sta Rosa / AFP via Getty ImagesPhilippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela showed videos of Saturday’s confrontation at a press conference, saying China Coast Guard vessel 5205 “directly and intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel” without provocation.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-philippines-accuse-ramming-ships-south-china-sea-rcna169118

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