China Alleges “Egregious” Ramming by Philippines in Disputed Sea Confrontation

China has alleged an “egregious” and deliberate ramming by a Philippine vessel during a major confrontation in the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday. The incident near Scarborough Shoal, which also saw Chinese ships use water cannons against a Philippine flotilla, has pushed the two nations closer to a crisis.
The Chinese Coast Guard issued a statement claiming one of its ships was intentionally hit by a Philippine vessel. The statement asserted that Chinese forces were taking legitimate countermeasures to stop over ten Philippine government ships from intruding into its claimed waters. Beijing has declared that Manila will be held responsible for the consequences.
The backdrop to this physical confrontation is China’s recent and highly controversial declaration of the area as a “national nature reserve.” This move, announced less than a week ago, was seen by the Philippines and its partners as a disingenuous attempt to annex the territory, known locally as Bajo de Masinloc.
The South China Sea is a region of immense strategic and economic importance, and the Scarborough Shoal is one of its most volatile flashpoints. China’s expansive claims, which an international tribunal has ruled have no legal basis, are the main driver of tensions that threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation.
The international response has been critical of Beijing. A prominent US lawmaker denounced China’s “coercive” strategy. The governments of the UK and Australia have also voiced their alarm. In a pointed statement, Canada’s embassy in the Philippines said it opposed any attempt to use “environmental protection as a way to take control” of disputed territories.