Ships from China and the Philippines collided on Monday night at a disputed area in the South China Sea, claims the Chinese coast guard.
According to Beijing, a Philippine ship "deliberately collided" with a Chinese one, said a spokesperson for the coast guard. The Philippine government, on the other hand, stated in a statement that two of their coast guard ships were damaged as a result of Chinese ships performing "illegal and aggressive maneuvers" near a reef.
China claims large parts of the South China Sea, but the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim rights to parts of the waters. Military markings and provocations are recurring in the waters of the area.
