China coastguard's 'dangerous manoeuvres' caused South China Sea collision

5/3/2024 12:49

        The Philippines on Tuesday accused China's coast guard of carrying out "dangerous manoeuvres" that led to a collision between its coast guard ship and a Chinese vessel during a resupply mission for Philippine troops in the South China Sea.
        
        Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said on social media platform X the PCG vessel sustained minor structural damage.
        
        "Their reckless and illegal actions led to a collision," Tarriela said in the social media post that was accompanied by video clips showing the moment the ships scraped each other's bows.
        
        But China's coast guard said the Philippine vessels illegally intruded into waters adjacent to the shoal, which China calls Renai Reef, so it had to take control measures.
        
        While saying that the Philippines will cooperate in talks with China, its president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said at a forum in Australia on Monday, his country will push back when its sovereignty and maritime rights are ignored.