Tensions rise in the South China Sea with collisions between Chinese and Filipino ships. Photos and videos: Twitter @jaytaryela
The crisis in the South China Sea continues to escalate following new confrontations between the Chinese Coast Guard and Filipino vessels. On Sunday, Chinese Coast Guard ships were again caught colliding with Philippine ships in waters that are part of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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According to Philippine sources, the Chinese Coast Guard carried out actions deemed “unprofessional, aggressive, and illegal” against a vessel from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The Philippine vessel was on a humanitarian mission, transporting diesel, food, and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen in the region. Philippine authorities strongly condemned the incident, stating that China is violating their EEZ, as the location of the incident, Escoda Shoal, is clearly within Philippine territorial limits.
“The Chinese claim over Xianbin Jiao exists only in the imagination of the Chinese Communist Party,” said a Filipino spokesperson.
In contrast, Chinese media reported that the Chinese Coast Guard took restrictive measures against a Filipino ship that allegedly illegally entered the waters of Xianbin Jiao, a territory China claims in the South China Sea.
Chinese experts are calling for Manila to remove its vessel, which is said to be nearly grounded on a Chinese reef, claiming that the Philippine presence in the area is a deliberate provocation.
The incident highlights the increasing tensions between the two countries in a region already marked by territorial disputes and overlapping claims.
Photos and videos: Twitter @jaytaryela. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
