Collisions of Chinese, Philippine ships signal new flashpoint in S. China Sea

Incidents near Sabina Shoal come despite a deal in July to de-escalate tensions

- Lim Min Zhang

Two collisions between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels near a disputed atoll on Aug 19 appear to signal a new flashpoint amid simmering tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea.

While China and the Philippines have repeatedly clashed over competing claims elsewhere in the waterway since 2023, the incidents near Sabina Shoal marked the first time that a months-long stand-off at the atoll escalated in such fashion.

The collisions in the early hours of Aug 19 resulted in gaping holes in two Philippine coast guard ships, although no injuries were reported.

Both sides have traded blame for the incidents, which involved four coast guard ships in total, including two from China.

Sabina Shoal sits between the Philippine province of Palawan and Second Thomas Shoal. Both shoals lie within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China regards much of the South China Sea as its own, based on historical claims.

The incidents came despite a deal in July to de-escalate tensions. Beijing and Manila had reached a provisional agreement over Philippine resupply missions to troops at Second Thomas Shoal - an issue that had resulted in a serious clash in June that saw a Filipino soldier losing his thumb.