A collision between a vessel from China and the Philippines occurred in close proximity to a contested atoll, signifying the latest territorial dispute between the two countries in the South China Sea.
The Philippines asserts that China "harassed, obstructed, and executed treacherous manoeuvres."
It transpires one day subsequent to the Philippines' allegation that China employed water cannons to obstruct three of its vessels. Regarding the South China Sea, another country, China, is embroiled in a territorial dispute with the Philippines.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Philippines stated that it is likely that Chinese soldiers targeted civilian supply vessels belonging to the Philippines in the Second Thomas Shoal, which is located in the Spratly Islands. This location is a flashpoint between the two countries.
In accordance with a statement released by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, a Chinese coast guard vessel "rammed" one of the two vessels that were bringing provisions. Furthermore, China was accused of using water cannons to inflict "serious damage" to the engine of a single vessel. This complaint was brought against China.
The China Coast Guard, on the other hand, accused the Philippine vessel of "intentionally colliding" with the Chinese vessel by disregarding "our numerous stern warnings."
A convoy of civilian vessels that was supposed to convey provisions and Christmas gifts to Filipino troops and fishermen in the South China Sea was compelled to abandon the mission due to "constant surveillance" by Chinese vessels, according to the organiser.
Following the assertion that was made by the Philippines on Saturday, China was accused of impeding three of its warships with war guns.
The Philippines characterised this behaviour as being both illegal and belligerent. Beijing, the capital of China, made an announcement that it had implemented "control measures" against vessels that had violated its territorial seas.
It was earlier this week that the Philippines made the accusation that China was "swarming" a coral off its coast. This accusation was made in response to the fact that China had observed more than 135 military boats in the South China Sea.
There has been a heightened level of hostility between the two countries ever since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office as president of the Philippines a year ago. This competition for sovereignty has been a contributing factor.
Earlier in the month, the Philippines participated in two separate combined air and maritime patrols with the United States of America and Australia.
The validity of China's 90% South China Sea claim was invalidated by an international tribunal in 2016. However, Beijing continues to disregard the ruling and has engaged in the construction of islands in the contested waters over the past few years.
Additionally, China-US relations have been ruffled by the contested waters; in October, US President Joe Biden issued a warning that the United States would defend the Philippines against any potential aggression.
President Biden delivered his remarks several days subsequent to two maritime collisions involving vessels from the Philippines and China. Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam all assert claims to portions of the sea.
