Chinese and Philippine vessels collided on Monday during a confrontation near Xianbin Reef, also known as the Sabina Shoal, in the South China Sea.

Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said a Philippine coast guard ship ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and intentionally sailed towards a Chinese coast guard vessel on maritime enforcement duty, causing the scrape.

He said the Philippine side bore full responsibility for the incident.

At a regular Foreign Ministry briefing, spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Philippine vessels' actions had seriously violated China's sovereignty, adding China "will continue to take resolute and forceful measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests".

Later the Philippine government said that two of its coast guard ships had been damaged in collisions with Chinese vessels that it said were conducting "unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres". (Agencies)
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Last updated: 2024-08-19 HKT 17:01