China and Philippines trade wine as ships collide

China and the Philippines have accused each other of striking coast guard vessels in a disputed area of ​​the South China Sea.

The Philippines claimed that a Chinese vessel “directly and intentionally rammed” its ship, while Beijing accused the Philippines of “deliberately” crashing into a Chinese vessel.

Saturday’s clash near the Sabina Strait is the latest in a long dispute – and escalation – between the two countries over various islands and areas in the South China Sea.

In the past two weeks, there have been at least three other incidents in the same area involving vessels belonging to the two countries.

Sabina Shoal, claimed by China as Xianbin Jiao and Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, is located about 75 nautical miles off the west coast of the Philippines and 630 nautical miles from China.

The South China Sea is a major shipping route through which $3 trillion worth of trade passes a year. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Following the latest clash, China’s coast guard called on the Philippines to withdraw from Sabina Shoal, while pledging to “resolutely deal with all acts of provocation, nuisance and violation”.

The Philippine coast guard said it would not move its vessel – the Teresa Magbanua – “despite harassment, bullying activities and escalating actions by the Chinese coast guard”.

No casualties were reported in the accident, but Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard said the 97-meter (318-foot) Teresa Magbanua sustained some damage after being struck “several times ” by the Chinese ship.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L Carlson criticized what she called China’s dangerous actions in the region.