A naval accident raises tensions between China and the Philippines

Tension is rising between Manila and Beijing. A new maritime accident has caused the rise in temperatures. In fact, a Philippine and a Chinese vessel collided near the Spratly Islands near Second Thomas, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, a portion of the Pacific Ocean. This was reported by the Beijing coast guard, according to which a Philippine supply ship “ignored many warnings”. The vessel, a note accuses, “approached the Chinese ship in an unprofessional manner, causing the collision.” Again according to Beijing, the Manila ship would have “illegally entered the sea near Ren’ai Reef in the Nansha Islands”, the Chinese name for the Spratlys. Manila’s response was immediate, calling the Chinese reconstructions “false”. “We will not give importance to the Chinese Coast Guard’s deceptive and misleading claims,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement.
As mentioned, the area where the accident occurred is in the Second Thomas area, a submerged coral reef in the Spratly Islands, a stretch of sea claimed by several nations. Here, according to Beijing’s accusations, “despite repeated warnings” the Philippine supply vessel approached “dangerously close to a Chinese ship in normal navigation, in an unprofessional manner, causing a collision”. For its part, the Philippines claims that the shoal, located less than 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from its coast, falls within its zone, as recognized internationally. In this regard, they cite a 2016 international ruling that rejected Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea on the basis of historical reasons. In recent months, several incidents have occurred near the shoal, where the Philippines maintains its position.