THIS is the moment a Chinese navy warship crashed into its own coast guard vessel while chasing a Philippine patrol boat in the South China Sea.
Dramatic footage released by Manila showed a China Coast Guard ship and a much larger vessel bearing the number 164 on its hull colliding with a loud crash.
The damaged Chinese Coast Guard ship, right, is seen beside a Chinese Navy vessel, left, after they accidentally collided[/caption]
The damaged Chinese Navy ship is seen after an accidental collision[/caption]
The Chinese vessel suitained major damages in the hull[/caption]
Footage from the Philippine Coast Guard shows the collision[/caption]
More footage and photos released later by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the stricken Chinese vessel still afloat but with its entire bow crumpled inward.
The vessel sustained major damage to its hull after crashing into its own coast guard ship.
The collision took place near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippine Coast Guard were escorting boats distributing aid to fishermen in the area when the Chinese Navy vessels began chasing it, spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said.
He added: “The [China Coast Guard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [Filipino coast guard vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA’s Navy warship.
“This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy.”
At a later press briefing, Tarriella said that crew members aboard the smaller Chinese vessel had been visible in its front section just before the collision.
“We’re not sure whether they were able to rescue those personnel who were in front prior to the collision.
“But we are hoping that these personnel are in good condition,” he told reporters.
Tarriela said the Chinese crew “never responded” to the Philippine ship’s offer of assistance.
Gan Yu, a Chinese coast guard spokesperson, confirmed that a confrontation had taken place without mentioning the collision.
“The China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with the law, including monitoring, pressing from the outside, blocking and controlling the Philippine vessels to drive them away,” he said.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm or deny the collision when asked about it.
Monday’s incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis.
More than 60 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the disputed waterway.
Speaking at a morning news conference, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said the country’s patrol vessels would “continue to be present” in the area to defend, as well as exercise Manila’s sovereign rights over the region.
The Scarborough Shoal – a triangular chain of reefs and rocks – has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.
Earlier in the confrontation, the BRP Suluan was “targeted with a water cannon” by the Chinese but “successfully” evaded it, Tarriela’s statement said.
Why is the South China Sea contested?
THE South China Sea is an arena for a power struggle between different powers.
Several countries claim the rights to large portions of its territory based on historical rights.
The problem is, some of these claims overlap.
China’s claim is based on a vague “nine-dash line” on some maps, which is not generally recognised in international law.
Many countries argue that China’s claims violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Other countries, like Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, are eager not the concede the territory, because it is known to hold valuable natural assets like natural resources.
One major point of tension is the Spratly Islands, with multiple countries claiming ownership of various islets and reefs.
China has been criticized for constructing artificial islands in the South China Sea and deploying military equipment there.
The latest announcements for a seabed research centre will further inflame this anger.
