BEIJING (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti): A Philippine vessel on Sunday approached a China Coast Guard ship in the disputed waters of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea which led to a collision, China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
On October 12, two Philippine vessels with tail numbers 3002 and 3003, entered the waters near the Spratly Islands without authorisation from Chinese authorities.
"At 09:19 am [local time, 01:19 GMT], the vessel with the tail number 3003, ignoring repeated warnings from the Chinese side, dangerously approached the China Coast Guard vessel with the tail number 21559 that was performing routine law enforcement tasks, which led to a collision. The responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side," Liu said.
The China Coast Guard took command and control measures against the Philippine vessel and forced it out. Its actions on the spot were "professional, regulatory, reasonable and lawful," Liu said.
"The Philippines' actions seriously violate China's territorial sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea, as well as undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea," Liu said.
The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out human rights and law enforcement activities in the waters under the Chinese jurisdiction, Liu added.
The territorial affiliation of a number of islands and reefs in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between China, the Philippines, and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades.
Significant oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the continental shelf of those islands, including the Paracel Islands, Thitu Island, Scarborough Shoal, and the Spratly Islands, comprising the Whitson Reef.
In July 2016, following a lawsuit filed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China had no grounds for territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The court ruled that the islands were not disputed territory and did not constitute an exclusive economic zone, but Beijing refused to recognise or accept the ruling. -- Bernama-Sputnik/Ria Novosti
