Philippines, China Trade Accusations of Ramming Ships in South China Sea

China and the Philippines have accused each other of ramming their ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea as their clashes over the vital waterway escalate.

China’s coastguard on Saturday said a Philippine ship, “illegally stranded” at the Sabina Shoal, “deliberately rammed” a Chinese vessel. The Philippine coastguard said a Chinese vessel had “intentionally rammed” one of Manila’s ships, Al Jazeera reported.

No injuries were reported as a result of the collisions.

The disputed Sabina Shoal is located 140km (87 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200km (746 miles) from Hainan Island, the closest Chinese landmass.