But China’s coastguard says Manila is to blame for the latest collision in disputed waters in the Spratly archipelago.
Published On 12 Oct 2025
The Philippines has accused China of “deliberately” ramming a Philippine government vessel and causing minor damage near an island in a disputed area of the South China Sea.
China, however, blamed the Philippines for the collision on Sunday, claiming the Philippine vessel had “dangerously approached” its ship.
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Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels occur frequently in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety.
A United Nations-backed tribunal, however, has ruled China’s claims have no legal basis.
The Philippine coastguard, in a statement, said a Chinese coastguard ship “fired its water cannon” at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a vessel belonging to Manila’s fisheries bureau, at 9: 15am (01: 15 GMT) on Sunday.
Minutes later, the same vessel “deliberately rammed” the stern of the Philippine fisheries bureau vessel, causing “minor” damage to the boat. No crew members were injured, it said.
The incident took place near Thitu Island, it said, part of the Spratly Islands, where Beijing has sought to assert its sovereignty claims for years, it added.
Thitu Island, known in China as Zhongye Island and in the Philip