A Philippine ship collided with a Chinese ship on Monday in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, which are disputed by Manila and Beijing, the Chinese Coast Guard announced.
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“The Philippine supply ship ignored several warnings from the Chinese side and approached the Chinese ship in an unprofessional manner, causing a collision,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Beijing accused the ship of "illegally entering territorial waters near Renai Atoll," which is the Chinese name for the second island of Thomas Atoll located in the Spratly Islands.
The statement added, " The Chinese Coast Guard took action against the Philippine ship in accordance with the law ."
It is noteworthy that Manila and Beijing have a long history of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but tensions have worsened in the past eighteen months.
Confrontations between Chinese and Filipino ships near disputed coral reefs have raised fears of a broader conflict over the sea that could involve the United States and other allies.
Regrettable.
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