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Bisnis.com, JAKARTA- China And Philippines exchanging accusations over clashes in the waters of the South China Sea (SCS) when Chinese ships blocked Philippine ships resupplying troops there on Sunday (10/22/2023).

The two countries have been involved in numerous SCS clashes in recent months, notably near the controversial Second Thomas Shoal, which is part of the Spratly Islands.

Launch Reuters, On Monday (10/23/2023), the Philippines sent supplies to troops stationed on a sunken World War II transport ship that served as an outpost on the shoal.

The Philippines’ move prompted the Chinese coast guard to repeatedly deploy ships to block the resupply mission.

In the Sunday morning incident, the Chinese coast guard said there was a “slight collision” between one of its vessels and a Philippine vessel when the coast guard “legally” prevented the vessel from to transport illegal construction materials to a warship.

The Philippines reacted by strongly condemning the dangerous maneuvers to block the Chinese ship.

“China’s dangerous, irresponsible and illegal actions violate the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines,” the Manila Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire SCS, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration said China’s claims had no legal basis.

“China has shown restraint and patience on this issue,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international laws to protect its territorial sovereignty, the ministry said.

The United States sided with the Philippines in offering support to its ally. In a statement on Sunday, the US State Department said China’s actions constituted repeated abuses in the South China Sea and were “dangerous and illegal.”

The Canadian and Japanese embassies in Manila also expressed support for the Philippines and concern over the collision.

Relations between China and the Philippines have deteriorated under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has strengthened military ties with the United States since taking office last year. The Pentagon said in May it would protect the Philippines if its coast guard was attacked “anywhere in the South China Sea.”

Last week, the Philippine military called on China to stop its “dangerous and offensive” actions after a Chinese navy ship followed and attempted to isolate a Philippine navy ship on a resupply mission .

Sunday’s collision occurred during a routine refueling mission of a ship contracted by the Philippine Armed Forces, Manila said.

In another incident during the same resupply mission, it is reported that the port side of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel was rammed by a Chinese maritime militia vessel.

“The actions of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel endangered the safety of the Philippine crew,” the Philippine task force said.

The Chinese coast guard said the Philippine ship ignored repeated warnings, went around the bow of the Chinese ship and deliberately caused trouble, leading to the collision.

“The Philippines’ behavior seriously violates international rules to avoid collisions at sea and threatens the navigation safety of our ships,” the Chinese coast guard said.

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