Manila clash in South China Sea despite efforts to rebuild trust

The Philippines and China clashed in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug 25 over what Manila said was a resupply mission for fishermen, the latest in a series of sea and air confrontations in the strategic waterway.

The incident overshadows efforts by both nations to rebuild trust and better manage disputes after months of confrontations, including a violent clash in June, in which a Filipino sailor lost a finger.

The Philippines on Aug 25 accused China of aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres” to block the resupply mission.

China’s coast guard, meanwhile, said it had taken control measures” against a vessel that had illegally” entered the waters and repeatedly approached Chinese ships in a dangerous manner.

In the incident near the Sabina Shoal, the Philippine South China Sea task force said Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannon against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries ship transporting food, fuel and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.