Amidst a sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea, the Chinese coast guard has collided with another Philippine vessel, raising concern from the government.
A foreign ministry official released a statement on the 19th, saying, “We express serious concern regarding the recent dangerous behavior in the South China Sea that caused significant damage to a Philippine vessel and its crew members.” The official added, “We once again stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety, and a rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, a major international sea route used by all countries, including South Korea.”
Earlier, on the 17th, the Chinese Coast Guard reportedly rammed a Philippine vessel near the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in serious injuries to a Filipino sailor. The Chinese Coast Guard claimed that the collision occurred because the Philippine vessel ignored warnings and dangerously approached the Chinese vessel, insisting that the responsibility rests entirely with the Philippines.
The Second Thomas Shoal, the most contentious area of territorial dispute between the two countries, lies within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under international maritime law. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China’s claim to sovereignty is illegal. However, China has rejected and remains in conflict with the Philippines.