Chinese ships collide while pursuing Philippines vessel

A Chinese naval alloy has slammed into 1 of its ain seashore defender ships while pursuing a Philippine patrol vessel successful nan disputed South China Sea.

Footage, released by Philippine officials, showed nan melodramatic collision betwixt a Chinese Coast Guard alloy and a overmuch bigger People's Liberation Army Navy warship adjacent to nan Scarborough Shoal, claimed by some nations.

A large clang tin beryllium heard successful nan video erstwhile nan Chinese ships onslaught each other.

Photos released by nan Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) show 1 of nan Chinese vessels pinch a crumpled front pursuing nan collision connected Monday.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said it was caused by a "risky manoeuvre" from 1 of nan Chinese ships.

"The (China Coast Guard vessel) CCG 3104, which was chasing nan (Filipino seashore defender vessel) BRP Suluan astatine precocious speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from nan (Philippine) vessel's starboard quarter, starring to nan effect pinch nan PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy warship," he said.

"This resulted successful important harm to nan CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy."

It is not known whether immoderate of nan crews from nan Chinese ships were injured.

Tarriela said nan PCG alloy offered assistance but nan Chinese unit did not respond.

The collision comes aft years of head-on disputes betwixt nan Philippines and China successful nan South China Sea.

The Chinese authorities has many times accused nan Philippines and different rival claimant states, including Vietnam and Malaysia, of encroaching connected what it says are "undisputed" Chinese territorial waters.

An world tribunal has ruled nan declare has nary ineligible basis.

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