In yet another of a series of provocations in the South China Sea, China Daily reported that on Sunday, Oct. 22, four Philippine ships—two transport vessels and two coast guard vessels—entered the waters of the disputed Nansha Islands, despite repeated warnings by the China Coast Guard. Further, two of them collided with Chinese ships, though no injuries were reported.
The Philippine ships “trespassed into the waters adjacent to Ren’ai Reef in the South China Sea on Sunday, prompting the Chinese Coast Guard to intercept the unauthorized entry, the statement said. Despite repeated warnings from Chinese authorities, the Philippine vessel, Unaiza May 2, disregarded the instructions and deliberately crossed the bow with Chinese Coast Guard Ship 5203 at 6:14 a.m. in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a minor collision. About two hours later at 8:13 a.m., the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 ‘deliberately stirred up trouble’ by deliberately reversing and colliding with a Chinese fishing vessel, which was floating there without starting the engine, the statement said.”
