Near collision, tense encounter as Beijing flexes muscles in the South China Sea

A Chinese Coast Guard ship is seen blocking the direction of a Philippine Coast Guard ship conducting a resupply mission in the South China Sea, on Oct 4, 2023. - PHOTO: REUTERS

NEAR THE SECOND THOMAS SHOAL, South China Sea (Reuters): The crew of the Philippine coastguard boat watch anxiously as an imposing Chinese vessel draws near and cuts off its path, coming within a metre of collision in a vast stretch of open water in the South China Sea.

The captain of the BRP Sindangan shuts off the engine and activates the reverse throttle. China's coastguard issues a warning via megaphone to leave as the Filipino crew watch closely on a radar that shows two vessels side by side.