China accuses Philippine vessels of 'dangerous manoeuvres' after its own ships collided
The Philippine vessels' actions 'seriously endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel,' ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin.
Jiang neither confirmed nor denied that there had been a collision involving two Chinese vessels on Monday.
'We demand that the Philippine side immediately stop its infringing and provocative rhetoric and actions,' Jiang said. 'China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures.'
The Scarborough Shoal has been a major source of tension in what is a strategic conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.
Footage from the Philippine Coast Guard showed a Chinese coastguard ship trailing the PCG vessel before a Chinese navy ship suddenly cut across the path of the other Chinese ship, colliding with it and damaging the forecastle of the coastguard vessel.
It was the first known crash between Chinese vessels in the area.
The Philippines on Friday said it bore no responsibility for the collision.
'It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions,' Manila's foreign minister Theresa Lazaro said in a statement.
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed three vessels on Monday to deliver supplies for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal before the collision took place, Manila said on Tuesday.
The confrontation was the latest in a series of incidents amid a period of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing's sweeping claims in the region, saying they had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects - REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Suffering Ukrainians dismayed by outcome and optics of Trump-Putin summit
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo KYIV/ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (Reuters) -Ukrainians expressed anger and frustration on Saturday over the failure of the U.S. and Russian presidents to agree on the need for a truce in the Ukraine war at a summit, and the sight of Donald Trump giving Vladimir Putin a red-carpet welcome in Alaska. Trump urged Ukraine to make a deal to end the war because "Russia is a very big power". Trump also said he agreed with Putin that the sides should focus on an overall peace settlement, not via a ceasefire, as Kyiv and its European allies have been demanding - until now with U.S. support. "He (Putin) won. Trump showed his attitude towards him and at the same time towards us. This meeting did not end well for Ukraine," said a 26-year-old soldier who gave only his call-sign "Dzha". "... we need to end the war. We need to really sit down at the negotiating table and talk, come to an agreement, because every day fighters die, get injured." "Dzha" was serving as godfather at a baptism in a church in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine, one of four regions Russia claims to have annexed, though it does not fully control them. 'BOMBS WILL KEEP FALLING ON US' "They (Putin and Trump) made some agreements for their states," said Viktor Tkach, the chaplain conducting the baptism. "And here in Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, in the Zaporizhzhia region, we will keep suffering, glide bombs will keep falling on us." Some were outraged that Trump had invited Putin to the U.S. and treated him with such respect, as an equal. Putin has been ostracised by Western leaders since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and is wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine, which he denies. "Literally yesterday, a ballistic missile was launched at Sumy. And this animal (Putin) flies to Alaska where people applaud him, and the red carpet is rolled out in front of him," said Hanna Kucherenko, a 25-year-old model, in Kyiv. "How is that even possible now?" A manipulated image of Trump and Putin shaking hands on the airport tarmac against the backdrop of bombed residential apartment blocks in Ukraine circulated widely online. "I do not know what Trump is even thinking about. I have an impression that he is just the same (as Putin)," said Kyiv pensioner Tetiana Vorobei. "They are identical." (Writing by Gareth Jones; Additional Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Foreigners' visa status does not give immunity to M'sian law, says Home Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The visa status held by foreigners does not grant them immunity to break the law in this country, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said firm and stringent action will be taken against any foreign national who violates Malaysia's laws, including breaching pass conditions, posing a security threat, or disturbing public order. He said actions taken include pass cancellation, blacklisting, and deportation to the country of origin, and this principle is applied consistently, irrespective of the individual's background or status. "Visa status, whether as a student, investor, long-term visit pass holder, or participant in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, does not provide immunity from the laws of this country. "The safety of Malaysians and the sovereignty of the nation are non-negotiable priorities," he said in a statement Saturday (Aug 16) night. Saifuddin said the Royal Malaysia Police consistently carries out its enforcement duties in a professional manner, without discrimination or exceptions based on race or country of origin, particularly in cases involving foreigners. He added that the law investigates all reports involving foreign nationals and takes appropriate action to ensure public safety, including in cases that receive media coverage. "Recent incidents involving foreigners that have gone viral have drawn public attention, but it must be emphasised that each case will be handled properly through existing laws," he said. He further said that Malaysia has specified that the recruitment of low-skilled foreign workers is permitted only from 15 officially designated source countries, and China is not among them. He added that the presence of Chinese workers in Malaysia in the low-skilled category is tied explicitly to high-impact government projects, including the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). "As of Aug 15, a total of 30,679 Chinese nationals were registered as professional expatriates in Malaysia, with the construction sector recording the highest number at 10,825, followed by manufacturing (6,407), services (5,385), information and communications technology (4,477), and other sectors (3,585). "The presence of Chinese nationals in Malaysia's workforce is concentrated mainly in professional sectors and large-scale projects requiring specific technical expertise, not in the category of unskilled foreign workers," he said. In line with the aspirations of the Madani government, he said Malaysia remains open to investment, education, and international cooperation, but such openness will never come at the expense of public safety and national sovereignty. Saifuddin also urged Malaysians to remain calm and confident that the authorities are carrying out their duties effectively and will continue to do so. "Every threat will be dealt with accordingly, to ensure Malaysia remains a safe, sovereign, and prosperous nation for all," he said. - Bernama
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
China's top diplomat Wang to visit India for border talks
Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on Delhi's invitation from Monday (Aug 18) until Wednesday. - Photo: AP BEIJING (AFP): China's top diplomat will visit India next week for talks about their shared boundary, Beijing's foreign ministry said on Saturday, as the two countries consider resuming border trade after a five-year halt. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on Delhi's invitation from Monday (Aug 18) until Wednesday for "the 24th special representatives meeting on the China-India border issue", a spokesperson said in a statement. Past trade between the neighbours across icy, high-altitude Himalayan border passes was usually small in volume, but any resumption is significant for its symbolism. It stopped following a deadly 2020 clash between border troops. Indian media reported this week that Wang was expected for talks in New Delhi on Monday. He will meet Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval, New Delhi's foreign ministry confirmed in a statement on Saturday. Wang will also hold talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who visited Beijing in July, the statement said. The two major economic powers have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia. However, they have moved to mend ties after being caught up in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz. Chinese and Indian officials have said in recent weeks that the two countries were discussing the resumption of border trade. Agreements to resume direct flights and issue tourist visas have also been seen as part of an effort to rebuild their relationship. - AFP
