China, Philippines trade accusations over collision in South China Sea
economictimes.indiatimes.comChina and the Philippines traded accusations over a collision in disputed waters of the South China Sea as Chinese vessels blocked a Philippine boat supplying forces there on Sunday, the latest in a series of maritime confrontations.
The two countries have had numerous run-ins in areas of the South China Sea in recent months, especially the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.
The Philippines has been sending supplies to troops stationed on a rusted World War Two-era transport ship used as an outpost on the shoal, prompting China's coast guard to repeatedly deploy vessels to block the resupply missions.
In the incident on Sunday morning, China's coast guard said there had been a «slight collision» between one of its ships and the Philippine boat while the coast guard was «lawfully» blocking the boat from transporting «illegal construction materials» to the warship.
