Chinese and Philippine maritime forces clash at Second Thomas Shoal

The Philippine vessels “ignored our repeated and explicit warnings, rapidly approached in a dangerous manner and rammed the Chinese patrol vessel from the front”, the China Coast Guard said.

During the incident, Philippine personnel “first used tools such as oars and long sticks to maliciously attack Chinese law enforcement officers”, the Chinese agency said.

The Chinese side “took measures in accordance with laws and regulations – including issuing verbal warnings, manoeuvring to avoid the vessel, and implementing reciprocal countermeasures – to stabilise the situation on the ground, exercising the utmost rationality and restraint”.

It accused the Philippine side of “distorting the facts and falsely incriminating China” following the incident, and demanded that the Philippines “immediately cease its infringements, provocations and false propaganda”.

The China Coast Guard would “continue to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard its rights” in the South China Sea and would “resolutely uphold the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”, it said.