China accuses Philippine ships of violating sovereignty after collision in Spratly Islands

China accused two Philippine ships of violating its sovereignty last week after a collision with a Chinese vessel in disputed waters.

Earlier, the Philippine Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) accused the Chinese vessel, which it said was part of a “maritime militia,” of “performing dangerous maneuvers and attempting to block the path” of one of its patrol boats near the disputed Thitu island.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said two Philippine “official ships” were involved in the incident in the South China Sea and said the Chinese vessel involved was a fishing boat whose crew was placed in danger.

“As far as I know, the truth is that Philippine official ships sailed dangerously into waters under China’s jurisdiction and collided with a Chinese fishing boat that was carrying out regular operations there,” Mao said.

“The behavior violates China’s sovereignty and seriously threatens the safety of Chinese fishing boats and crews.

“China urges the Philippine side to seriously respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and stop taking any actions that may complicate the situation.”

But the Philippines’ fisheries department said the vessel involved was a Chinese maritime militia vessel with bow number 00108. It added: “These dangerous maneuvers caused the broadside and collision with the BFAR vessel (the BRP Datu Cabaylo), which suffered small dents on its starboard bow.”