The Philippines has accused a Chinese maritime militia vessel of deliberately “sideswiping” a government fisheries boat in the South China Sea, causing minor damage and further escalating tensions between the two nations, Bloomberg reports.
The incident occurred on Friday while two Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels were patrolling near Thitu Island, a Philippine-occupied feature in the Spratly Islands.
According to a statement released by the BFAR on Tuesday, the Chinese vessel engaged in “dangerous maneuvers” that resulted in the collision.
“These dangerous maneuvers caused the sideswiping and collision with the BFAR vessel, which sustained minor dents in its starboard bow,” the agency reported.
Despite the incident, the Philippine ship was able to continue its mission in the vicinity of Thitu Island.
This latest incident follows a pattern of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where both China and the Philippines have competing claims to the strategically important waterway. The two nations have repeatedly clashed in the region, with each accusing the other of aggressive actions.
The Philippines has been particularly vocal in its opposition to China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea, which Beijing asserts as its historical territory. Manila has sought to bolster its military presence in the region.
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