Chinese and Philippine vessels collide near disputed islet

China and the Philippines have blamed one another for a collision of patrol vessels close to a disputed islet, threatening to capsize a fragile agreement aimed at reducing tensions in the strategic waters of the South China Sea.
The coast guard vessels smashed into one another before dawn on Monday morning off Sabina Shoal, a remote coral atoll where China has been accused of secretly attempting to build a military base.
The Philippines’ national security council said that two coast guard vessels, Cape Engaño and Bagacay, were sailing on a mission to resupply Philippine soldiers on Flat Island, a tiny sliver of land in the Spratly Islands.
The Engaño was rammed by a Chinese vessel with photographs showing a deep dent in the outer deck of the ship that split open a five-inch hole in the hull, according to a Philippine statement. Sixteen minutes later, a second Chinese ship rammed the Bagacay twice, causing minor damage.
“This morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño encountered unlawful and aggressive manoeuvres from Chinese Coast Guard vessels,” Jonathan Malaya, a spokesman for the national security council, said.
He added: “These dangerous manoeuvres resulted in collisions, causing structural damage to both PCG vessels … Despite these incidents, both PCG vessels remain committed to and shall proceed with their mission of delivering essential supplies to personnel … The PCG stands firm in its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain while addressing any threats to our national interests.”
The Chinese coast guard released a 37-second film, shot through night-vision equipment, purporting to show a Philippine vessel and a larger Chinese ship sailing close to one another and apparently on course to collide. The footage cuts out before any collision, making it difficult to corroborate the Chinese claim that the Philippines was to blame.
“The China Coast Guard took control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law,” Gan Yu, of the China Coast Guard, said. “The Philippine side is entirely responsible for the collision. We warn the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement and provocation, otherwise it will bear all the consequences arising from that.”
The Spratly Islands are a collection of atolls, cays, sandbanks and small islands variously claimed by six countries adjoining the South China Sea. In May, the PCG reported finding ground-up coral dumped on Sabina Shoal, suggesting efforts to reclaim land around the tiny island, which is claimed by both Manila and Beijing.
Over the past decade, China has created three military airstrips on reclaimed land on three other once tiny reefs, adding to the tension in the South China Sea, a crucial shipping lane through which energy and cargo travel from Europe and the Middle East to East Asia.
Chinese and Philippine vessels have been involved in intense confrontations close to Second Thomas Shoal, where a small detachment of Philippine marines is based. Sabina, also known as Escoda, Shoal is closer to the mainland, just 75 miles off the large Philippine island of Palawan.
Last month, the two countries reached a “provisional agreement” permitting Manila to resupply the garrison subject to “supervision” by the Chinese. Monday’s collision is likely to put the agreement under strain.