Philippines and China Accuse Each Other of Ship Ramming in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], September 1: Tensions in the South China Sea have increased as China and the Philippines accused each other of ramming their ships in the disputed area.
Philippine Coast Guard’s Claim
The Philippine coastguard stated that a Chinese vessel had ‘deliberately rammed’ Manila’s ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, three times. Jay Tarriela, a Philippine Coast Guard official, posted on X, ‘This afternoon (August 31), the Chinese Coast Guard vessel deliberately rammed and collided with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, despite no provocation from the Philippine Coast Guard.’ He also shared photos of the damaged Filipino vessel.
China’s Coast Guard’s Claim
Meanwhile, China’s coastguard claimed that a Philippine ship, ‘illegally stranded’ at the Sabina Shoal, ‘deliberately rammed’ a Chinese vessel. Liu Dejun, a spokesman for China’s coastguard, said it would take steps ‘to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.’
Background
The disputed Escoda (Sabina) Shoal is claimed by the Philippines to be within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It is located 140 km west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 km from Hainan Island, the closest Chinese landmass. Previously, a Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, the ‘BRP Datu Sanday’ (MMOV 3002), had encountered ‘aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres’ from eight Chinese Coast Guard ships while operating from Hasa-Hasa Shoal to Escoda Shoal.
No injuries were reported as a result of the collisions.
Doubts Revealed
Philippines -: The Philippines is a country made up of many islands in Southeast Asia. It is located in the western Pacific Ocean.
China -: China is a large country in East Asia. It has the most people of any country in the world.
South China Sea -: The South China Sea is a large sea in Southeast Asia. Many countries, including the Philippines and China, have disputes over parts of it.
Ship Ramming -: Ship ramming means one ship hits another ship on purpose. It can cause damage to the ships.
Philippine Coast Guard -: The Philippine Coast Guard is a group that helps protect the waters around the Philippines. They make sure the sea is safe and help in emergencies.
BRP Teresa Magbanua -: BRP Teresa Magbanua is the name of a ship that belongs to the Philippine Coast Guard. Ships often have special names.
China’s coastguard -: China’s coastguard is a group that helps protect the waters around China. They also make sure the sea is safe and help in emergencies.
Sabina Shoal -: Sabina Shoal is a shallow area in the South China Sea. It is one of the places that different countries argue about.
Exclusive Economic Zone -: An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is an area of the sea where a country has special rights to use the resources, like fish and oil. The Philippines claims part of the South China Sea as its EEZ.
