China, Philippines accuse each other of ramming ships

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STORY: The Philippines and China on Saturday (August 31) accused each other of intentionally ramming coast guard ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The collision near the Sabina Shoal was their fifth maritime confrontation in a month.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 found China's sweeping claims had no legal basis - a ruling Beijing rejects.

Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.

The Philippine Coast Guard said that the China Coast Guard vessel 5205 "directly and intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel" without provocation.

They added that the ramming damaged the Philippine’s 320-foot ship - but no one was injured.

In a statement, a China’s coast guard spokesman said a Philippine ship, "illegally stranded" at the shoal, had lifted anchor and "deliberately rammed" a Chinese vessel.

He called on the Philippines to withdraw immediately or bear the consequences.