Chinese, Philippine Vessels Collide Near Sabina Shoal for Third Time

Chinese and Philippine vessels collided near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on August 31st, marking at least the third collision between the two coast guards near the disputed reef in recent weeks.

Sabina Shoal is about 80 miles west of the Philippine island province of Palawan and is claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

As usual, the two sides trade blame for the latest incident. Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun said a Philippine vessel “deliberately collided” with a Chinese Coast Guard ship “in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”

The Philippine side said that the Chinese ship intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, three times. Tensions have been high near Sabina Shoal since Manila anchored the Teresa Magbanua in the area over claims that China was planning to build a permanent structure on the shoal to assert its claims.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it would not move the vessel “despite the harassment, the bullying activities and escalatory action of the Chinese Coast Guard.”

In response to the collision, the US reaffirmed its commitment to defend the Philippines in the South China Sea. “The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,” the State Department said.

The tensions in the South China Sea and the US commitment to intervene if the maritime dispute turns hot have turned the waters into a potential flashpoint for a war between the US and China.