Chinese, Philippine vessels collide in South China Sea

A Chinese coast guard patrol vessel and a Philippine fisheries vessel have collided in the South China Sea near the Xianbin Reef (Sabina Shoal).

The vessels involved were Chinese coast guard ship 21585 and the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel Datu Magat Salamat (3015), Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The two sides gave fundamentally different accounts of the incident, accusing each other of provocation.

According to Manila, the incident occurred in waters that the Philippines considers part of its exclusive economic zone. The Philippine vessel was carrying out a humanitarian mission to deliver fuel to local fishermen.

Philippine authorities said that at 11:04, the Chinese vessel approached its stern at a dangerously close distance of around 10 metres. Nine minutes later, despite the Philippine vessel maintaining its course, the Chinese patrol ship repeated the manoeuvre and struck its starboard side.

The collision damaged the railings and displaced deck equipment. The Chinese vessel then passed the Philippine ship again at a dangerous distance of about five metres from its stern.

Beijing gave a different account. A Chinese coast guard spokesperson said the vessel was conducting routine law-enforcement operations in the waters of the Nansha (Spratly) Islands.

According to the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel ignored lawful warnings, deliberately changed course and accelerated sharply, colliding with the bow of the Chinese ship.

Chinese authorities placed full responsibility for the incident on Manila and demanded an end to “provocative actions” in the region.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov