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Stormy Seas Ahead?
In June 19, 2024, tensions in the South China Sea escalated once again with a collision between a Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship near the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. This incident is part of a series of confrontations that threaten to ignite a broader conflict in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways.
The Collision: Different Narratives, Shared Blame
According to reports from both nations, the collision occurred during a Philippine mission to resupply troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine Navy landing craft that serves as a territorial outpost. China’s coast guard accused the Philippine ship of ignoring repeated warnings and approaching their vessel in an unprofessional manner. In contrast, the Philippines claimed that Chinese ships engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing, which led to the collision.
China’s Coast Guard stated that it took measures such as “warnings and interceptions, boarding inspections, and forced evictions” against the Philippine vessels. They held the Philippine ship entirely responsible for the incident, asserting that it had deliberately and dangerously approached the Chinese vessel.
In response, the Philippine military rejected China’s accusations, labeling them as…
