China vows to keep ‘forceful measures’ after West Philippine Sea clash

This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday, August 19, 2024, shows damage to the Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) following a collision with a Chinese coast guard vessel near Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. China on Monday vowed to maintain “forceful measures” in the South China Sea after Philippine and Chinese vessels collided near a disputed reef in the West Philippine Sea. Agence France-Presse

BEIJING — China on Monday vowed to maintain “forceful measures” in the South China Sea after Philippine and Chinese vessels collided near a disputed reef.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Philippine vessels’ actions had “seriously violated China’s sovereignty”, adding Beijing “will continue to take resolute and forceful measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.

READ: PH vessels rammed, harassed by China anew in West Philippine Sea – Malaya

The Philippines has yet to directly respond to the Chinese foreign ministry’s statements.

But earlier, the West Philippine Sea task force confirmed that Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Engaño encountered what they call as “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” from Chinese Coast Guard vessels in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, while they were en route to Patag and Lawak Islands early Monday morning, causing collisions that structural damage to both ships.

A West Philippine Sea monitor said Beijing’s state media and its spokespersons “have been telegraphing their intent to be more aggressive” in Escoda Shoal.

“They have repeatedly implied that the BRP Teresa Magbanua anchored at the shoal is equivalent to the BRP Sierra Madre grounded on Ayungin Shoal, so they are now making similar demands for both places,” SeaLight director Ray Powell, told INQUIRER.net in a message on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

The resupply missions in BRP Sierra Madre grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal also became the flashpoint of tensions between Manila and Beijing.

Powell, program head of Stanford University’s Gordian knot Centerfor National Security Innovation which monitors Chinese vessels activity in South China Sea, said Beijing coast guard’s latest actions against Manila’s vessels “broke virtually every known international maritime law and regulation.”

“In effect, China has moved the battle lines in its gray-zone campaign for the West Philippine Sea to Sabina Shoal — just 75 nautical miles from Palawan,” he also said.