Chinese sailors seen wielding knives in S. China Sea clash with Philippines

Manila releases footage of clash showing latest confrontation in disputed waters

Chinese coast guard sailors brandished knives, an axe and other weapons in a clash with Philippine naval vessels near a strategic reef in the South China Sea, dramatic new footage released by Manila showed.

The clash took place on June 17 as Philippine forces attempted to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship that was deliberately grounded atop the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's territorial claims.

It was the latest in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to the disputed area.

The Philippine military chief, General Romeo Brawner, said the "outnumbered" Filipino crew had been unarmed and had fought with their "bare hands".

A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the clash, in which the Chinese coast guard confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment including guns, according to the Philippine military.

Fresh footage released by the Philippine military late on June 19 shows small boats crewed by Chinese sailors shouting, waving knives and using sticks to hit an inflatable boat as a siren blares.

A voice speaking Tagalog can be heard in one clip saying someone had "lost a finger".

Manila's footage of the clash stands in stark contrast to photos released by Beijing's state media on June 19, which did not show Chinese forces wielding weapons.