Array
Updated at 5:17 p.m.
Beijing, China — China said Friday that a near-collision in the South China Sea between a Chinese coast guard ship and Philippine patrol vessel carrying journalists was caused by the latter’s “premeditated and provocative action”.
The near-miss off the Spratly Islands on Sunday was the latest in a steady string of stand-offs between China and the Philippines in the contested waterway.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratlys, ignoring an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis.
In Sunday’s incident, two Philippine coast guard boats approached Second Thomas Shoal, known in China as Ren’ai Jiao.
As one boat, the BRP Malapascua, neared the shoal, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel more than twice its size sailed into its path.
AFP journalists watched the incident from another Philippine coast guard boat, which was less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The Malapascua’s commanding officer said the Chinese ship came within 45 meters (50 yards) of his boat and only his quick actions avoided the steel-hulled vessels crashing into each other.
Asked about the incident on Friday at a regular press briefing, the Chinese foreign ministry said the Philippine boats had “intruded” without China’s permission.
