News analysis Collision of Chinese ships chasing Philippine boat a reminder of risks in South China Sea

Beijing and Manila are engaged in a battle of narratives following a collision that involved vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Chinese navy that were chasing a Philippine boat in disputed South China Sea waters.

- Mara Cepeda

CHONGQING/MANILA -

Analysts say this serves as a reminder of the considerable geopolitical risks in the region as temperatures continue to spike on the ground.

The latest bone of contention between the two countries started with a five-second video released on social media by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Aug 11 showing two Chinese vessels colliding in their attempt to chase the Filipinos out of the contested areas near Scarborough Shoal that day.

Subsequent images released by the Philippine authorities show substantial damage to the CCG vessel's bow, causing the ship to be "unseaworthy," the PCG alleged. Images circulated by Manila show the Chinese navy's warship had suffered long gashes from the collision.

China presented its side of the story on Aug 13. State media outlet Global Times released a report and an editorial that night with a 26-second video showing how a Philippine vessel made "dangerous and provocative" approaches and "multiple high-speed crossing manoeuvres" in front of the Chinese ships.

The report stopped short of mentioning the collision between the two Chinese vessels.

The Philippine patrol boat that was being chased by the two Chinese ships was the second of two coast guard vessels carrying fuel and supplies to fishermen in Scarborough Shoal.

Since the incident, both countries have accused each other of dangerous manoeuvres and of not following maritime safety rules, further intensifying tensions in the South China Sea.

The Philippines' National Maritime Council said the collision was "a very unfortunate outcome, but it was something entirely resulting from the two vessels' conduct".

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in a written response to a question submitted by the media on Aug 11 that "the facts once again prove that the Philippines' deliberate maritime infringement and provocations are the root cause of the current tensions".