Chinese Coast Guard Rams Philippine Ship Off Palawan — SkimNews
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- China Coast Guard vessel rammed the Philippine government's BRP Datu Magat Salamat off Palawan province on Friday, causing severe damage to one side, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
- The Chinese ship initially cut across the Philippine vessel's path at about 10 metres (33ft), then repeated the manoeuvre 10 minutes later, per coastguard spokesman Jay Tarriela, who released video footage of the incident.
- The struck vessel belonged to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and was on a fuel supply mission to Philippine fishermen; no injuries were reported but debris spilled across the deck.
- China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the account, claiming the Philippine vessel ignored warnings, intentionally altered course, and suddenly accelerated ahead of the Chinese ship's bow.
- The collision follows a July incident near Scarborough Shoal where Manila accused Beijing of firing a water cannon at government vessels and hitting a Philippine Navy staff member with a wooden baton.
- A UN-backed tribunal ruled in July that China's sweeping sovereignty claims over the South China Sea have no legal basis, while the US has voiced concern over Beijing's military activities in the area.
Why it matters: Manila and Beijing are now trading contradictory accounts of each collision — Philippines releases video, China blames the other vessel — with the US backing its ally and a UN-backed tribunal already ruling China's sweeping claims legally baseless. Each incident elevates the stakes of the next encounter in waters all three actors consider strategically vital.
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