China, Philippines war of words over South China Sea collisions is a ‘test’ raising risk of hot conflict, observer says

Name: Beijing and Manila trade blame over ‘provocative’ moves with ship collisions near disputed shoal
Uploaded: 2023-10-23T14:00:13.000Z
Duration: 2 min 3 s
Description: Beijing and Manila trade blame over ‘provocative’ moves with ship collisions near disputed shoal

Both sides have lodged diplomatic protests over Sunday’s twin collisions, with China alleging provocation and Manila claiming an intentional strike

Face-off could damage trust and affect ongoing South China Sea code of conduct talks, researcher at National Institute for South China Sea Studies warns

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The latest clash in disputed South China Sea might be a tipping point for ties between Beijing and the United States’ oldest ally in Asia, a Chinese analyst has warned. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Laura Zhou

Published: 10:00pm, 23 Oct 2023Updated: 11:26pm, 23 Oct 2023

China and the Philippines’ intensifying blame game over twin collisions in the disputed South China Sea is heightening the risks of armed conflict that could draw in the US, a Chinese observer has warned.

This comes as both sides dial up the accusations over the two incidents on Sunday involving coastguard boats from either side.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Monday accused the Philippines of provocation “by repeatedly intruding into the Renai Jiao and continuing to spread disinformation”.

Renai Jiao is the Chinese name for the Second Thomas Shoal – called Ayungin Shoal by the Philippines – an area in the South China Sea where the collisions took place. It is part of the Spratly Islands, known as the Nansha Islands in Chinese and claimed by both countries.

The incidents could represent a tipping point for ties between Beijing and the United States’ oldest ally in Asia, warned Ding Duo, an associate research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

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Beijing and Manila trade blame over ‘provocative’ moves with ship collisions near disputed shoal

The Philippine defence minister earlier accused the Chinese coastguard of having “harassed and intentionally hit” its resupply ship and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.