The conflict in the South China Sea

Chinese-Filipino feud intensifies after ship collision  

Tensions in the South China Sea have gained new momentum after an incident in which a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a vessel belonging to the Philippine coast guard, several media reports.  

 

Two more ships – one on each side – were involved. The incident took place near an atoll in the uninhabited Spratly Islands claimed by several countries, including China and the Philippines.  

 

According to the Philippines, China is behaving more aggressively in the area after the country under the new president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strengthened the military relationship with the United States.

 

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Western countries to attack China: "Dangerous repetition" 

Both sides are blaming each other after a Chinese coast guard ship collided with a Philippine one in the South China Sea, Rappler reports. 

 

countries claim the area around the uninhabited Spratly Islands and, according to Beijing, it was the Philippines that defied warnings and backed off the Chinese vessel in a "premeditated manner".  

 

The Philippines, which is supported by a number of Western countries, believes that China is violating the country's sovereignty. 

 

- These incidents, and their repetition and intensification, are dangerous, says Luc Véron, EU ambassador to the Philippines.