The Philippines says a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a fisheries ship carrying fuel assistance for Filipino fishermen near Palawan; Beijing disputes Manila’s account.
Web Desk: A Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine government fisheries ship in the South China Sea on September 18, according to Philippine authorities, in the latest maritime confrontation between Beijing and Manila.
The Philippines said China Coast Guard vessel CCG-21585 made dangerous manoeuvres before striking the BRP Datu Magat Salamat, which was carrying out a mission to provide fuel assistance to Filipino fishermen. China disputed the account and said the Philippine vessel was responsible for the collision.
Collision occurred near Palawan
The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident occurred approximately 54 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan, within an area Manila considers part of its exclusive economic zone.
According to the Philippine account, CCG-21585 initially passed close behind the fisheries vessel before making another manoeuvre and coming into contact with it. The collision caused damage to the Philippine vessel’s railings, metal structures and parts of its deck. No deaths or injuries were reported.
The Philippine vessel was conducting a fuel-support mission intended to assist Filipino fishermen operating in the area.
Philippines accuses China of dangerous manoeuvres
Philippine Coast Guard officials said the Chinese vessel came within about 10 metres of the Philippine ship before the collision.
Philippine authorities said the Chinese vessel subsequently made another close pass after the incident.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the collision and said there was no justification for what it described as aggressive actions against a Philippine civilian law-enforcement vessel. Manila called for restraint to prevent further escalation.
China gives a different account
China has rejected the Philippine version of events.
The China Coast Guard said the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings, suddenly changed course and attempted to cross in front of the Chinese ship. Beijing said the Philippine side was responsible for the incident.
The conflicting accounts mean that responsibility for the collision remains disputed between the two governments.
US, Canada and EU express concern
The incident has drawn concern from several international partners.
The United States, Canada and European Union expressed concern over the confrontation, with officials highlighting maritime safety and the importance of international law. The EU specifically referred to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
The US ambassador to the Philippines also publicly condemned what Washington described as the Chinese Coast Guard’s deliberate ramming of the Philippine vessel.
Chinese Coast Guard vessel involved in collision with Philippine fisheries vessel near Palawan
The collision comes amid continuing disputes between China and the Philippines over competing maritime claims in the South China Sea.
The waters around disputed features in the Spratly Islands have repeatedly been the scene of confrontations involving Chinese and Philippine vessels.
The latest incident is particularly significant because it involved a Philippine government fisheries vessel conducting a mission linked to support for fishermen, rather than a purely military operation.
