China, Philippines Trade Blame Over Boat Collision In Disputed Sea

This handout photo taken and released on October 12, 2025 by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard ship (R) deploying water cannon as a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel (L) is seen alongside during an incident near Thitu island in disputed waters of the South China Sea. (Credit: AFP)

The Philippines said a Chinese ship deliberately rammed one of its government vessels in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, though Beijing blamed Manila for the incident.

Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels occur frequently in the contested waterway, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.