South China Sea chaos as Chinese warship and coastguard vessel collide

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel has been left damaged after a reported collision with a Chinese warship in the South China Sea. The incident is believed to have occurred as Chinese ships were harassing Philippine coastguard ships near the Scarborough Shoal.

The area is a high-tide elevation feature that’s within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has been under Chinese control since 2012. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a statement: “The CCG 3104, which was chasing the BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky maneuver from the PCG vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA Navy warship. This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy.”

The PCG added that its vessel was left unscathed but the Chinese ship reported sustained “substantial damage.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said that its coastguard offered the stricken vessel assistance, including medical support, but that its offer was not answered.

Tarriela added: “During the operation, Philippine vessels and fishermen encountered hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions from other vessels in the vicinity.

“In particular, the Suluan was targeted with a water cannon, but the seamanship skills by PCG crew members allowed the vessel to successfully evade from getting hit.”

The incident comes amid increasing tensions in the region, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr telling reporters that his country does not seek war but will not back down in the face of pressure from China.

China claimed to have expelled Philippine vessels from waters around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

The China Coast Guard routinely attempts to disrupt Filipino vessels in the area with the two countries previously having collisions in the past, although this is believed to be the first time that two Chinese vessels have collided with one another.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including areas that are part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone called the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the Chinese claimed that its forces had acted appropriately to deter Philippine incursions and that its response had been “professional, standardised, legitimate and legal.”