08-05-2025
Manila, Beijing swap accusations over South China Sea incident
The Philippines says Chinese naval ships have conducted what it calls "aggressive and unsafe" movements in disputed waters in the South China Sea. Beijing has rejected the claim.
The Philippine military says the incident occurred earlier this week when its patrol ship encountered two Chinese frigates near the Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine military video footage shows one of the Chinese vessels sailing alongside the patrol ship while the other crossed in front of its path.
The military describes the measure as threatening and provocative, saying it could have resulted in a misunderstanding that increased tensions and impacted regional stability.
A spokesperson for China's Southern Theater Command has dismissed the claim, saying the shoal is China's inherent territory.
He says the Philippine vessel was attempting to intrude into Chinese territorial waters.
He called on the Philippines to immediately stop its "infringement, provocation and distortion of the truth."
Manila and Beijing have been locked in a long-standing dispute over the Scarborough Shoal.
But it is unusual for warships from both countries to confront each other.
The shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China effectively controls it.
Last year, Beijing unilaterally announced baselines in what was seen as an attempt to consolidate its control over the area.
