Beijing and Manila exchange accusations of ‘ramming attacks’ in connection with coast guard incidents in the South China Sea

According to the Chinese Coast Guard, which also released two short videos of the incident, one of the Philippine vessels ignored repeated warnings and rammed the Chinese vessel 21551.

Jonathan Malaya, deputy director general of the Philippines' National Security Council, said vessel 4411 was subjected to “aggressive maneuvers” as it navigated about 23 nautical miles southeast of Sabina Shoal.

“This resulted in a collision with the starboard side of the vessel, creating a hole in the deck approximately five inches (12.7 cm) in diameter,” he said.

In a second incident, the Philippine ship 4410 was rammed “twice on both the port and starboard sides” by a Chinese vessel, according to Malaya, “resulting in minor structural damage.”

The Chinese Coast Guard issued a separate statement on Monday morning saying that vessel 4410 approached Second Thomas Shoal, which is also the subject of competing claims between the two countries, at around 6 a.m.

The Chinese coast guard took control measures against the Philippine ship in accordance with the law, the statement said.

The Chinese coast guard accused the Philippine side of “provoking unrest on several occasions” and “violating” a preliminary agreement reached last month to deliver supplies to a Philippine-controlled ship that ran aground on the Second Thomas Reef.

Gan said the Chinese coast guard will continue to carry out police measures to “protect the rights and interests in the waters under Chinese jurisdiction” and “resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

Sabina Shoal – an uninhabited atoll in the disputed Spratly Islands, which Vietnam also claims – has become a new source of conflict between China and the Philippines in recent months.

It serves as a rendezvous point for Philippine ships on supply missions for troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II ship that was intentionally run aground on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's territorial claims.

In April, a standoff between coast guards from both sides occurred at Sabina Reef when one of the Philippines' most modern coast guard vessels, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, arrived there.

Manila said the ship was responding to reports that China was conducting land reclamation work. Beijing rejected that accusation and said the Philippines was trying to establish a permanent outpost there, which it denied.

On Thursday, the Beijing-based South China Sea Probing Initiative indicated that the Philippines would send a new coast guard ship to replace the BRP Teresa Magbanua and predicted a “forceful response” from China.

Responding to the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday that China was “closely monitoring” developments and would “take decisive and stern action.”

In a statement posted on social media platform X on Sunday, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the shoal is part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

“Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate in the Escoda Shoal lagoon for as long as necessary without the need for permission from any other country,” he said.

On Monday, Tarriela posted on X photos of the damage to Vessel 4410, including “a hole 2.5 feet long and 3 feet wide” on the port side, as well as a 1-foot dent and damage to 13 railing posts on the starboard side.

In its statement, Malaya said the two Philippine vessels were delivering “essential supplies” to personnel stationed on Flat Island and Nanshan Island – both parts of the disputed Spratly Islands – when they encountered their Chinese counterparts.

Malaya also reiterated Manila's commitment to continue supply missions to both islands.

“The Philippine Coast Guard stands firm in its responsibility to ensure the security of our maritime domain while combating any threats to our national interests,” he said.

“The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea calls for restraint and compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international laws to prevent further escalations and ensure the safety of all vessels operating in the region,” Malaya added.

Flat Island and Nanshan Island – the second smallest and eighth largest natural islands in the Spratly Islands, respectively – are controlled by Manila and claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam.