Philippines to blame for 'dangerous' vessel collision in South China Sea, says CCG

The China Coast Guard (CCG) said on Sunday that the responsibility for a collision between a CCG vessel and a Philippine vessel near waters of China's Nansha Qundao in the South China Sea earlier in the day lies with the Philippines.

Without the permission of the Chinese government, the Philippine vessel 3002 on Sunday "illegally intruded waters of Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao, and the CCG took lawful control measures against the vessel," said Gan Yu, spokesperson for the CCG.

At 14:12, the Philippine vessel 3002 ignored warnings from the Chinese side and intentionally rammed the CCG vessel 21551, which was carrying out normal law enforcement activities at the time, in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a collision between the vessels, Gan said.

"The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side," he added.

The Philippine vessel also carried media reporters on board, who distorted the facts and hyped the incident up for propaganda purposes, he noted.

In the process, the CCG followed, monitored and supervised the Philippine vessel and blocked it and drove it away, said Gan. "Its on-site operation was professional, standardized, legitimate and lawful."

He added that the Philippine side has kept causing trouble and provocation recently, which is of a very bad nature, seriously infringing on China's territorial sovereignty, seriously violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and seriously undermining regional peace and stability.

"We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop infringing upon China's rights, smearing China or hyping up the incident. Otherwise, the Philippine side will bear all the consequences," the spokesperson noted.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters, including Xianbin Jiao, he said.

The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction per the law, and resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, he added.