This has been going quiet often lately and may worsen as the days and weeks pass. Both the Chinese and Philippine vessels "collided" again last 19 August 2022 during an alleged confrontation near a disputed shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Beijing’s state media quoting their coast guard report.
"Despite multiple warnings from the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel 4410 deliberately collided with China’s 21551 vessel," state broadcaster CCTV said, citing China Coast Guard spokesperson Geng Yu.
Beijing has continued to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
The Philippines disputed Beijing's account and accused it of "imposing its version of facts." It said two of its coast guard vessels "encountered unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres" from Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal, while on their way to supply Filipino personnel stationed in two occupied islands.
"These dangerous manoeuvres resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) vessels," said Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for the national security council and Manila's South China Sea task force.
At a regular news briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that China would continue to take lawful "resolute and forceful measures" to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
"We hope that the Philippines can keep its commitments (and)earnestly abide by the temporary arrangements reached with China," Mao said.
The United States condemned China's actions. Its ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said on X the U.S. "stands with the Philippines in condemning the China Coast Guard's dangerous manoeuvres", which endangered lives and caused damage to coast guard vessels.
Manila said coast guard vessels Cape Engano and Bagacay were on their way to resupply personnel stationed on Flat Island - which Manila calls Patag - and Lawak Island, which China calls Nanshan, when the confrontation happened near Sabina Shoal.