The Philippine Coast Guard revealed on Friday that it engaged in a confrontation with Chinese ships that conducted "dangerous maneuvers" in the South China Sea, in the latest episode of maritime tensions between the two countries.
The Coast Guard indicated that "during the mission conducted from April 18 to 24, over 100 vessels, reportedly belonging to China, were spotted, along with a warship from the People's Liberation Army Navy and two Chinese Coast Guard ships within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 miles."
It added, "A Chinese vessel performed dangerous maneuvers approximately 45 meters from a Philippine ship, and two vessels executed hostile tactics, posing a significant threat to the safety and security of the Philippine ship and its crew."
The incident occurred while the Coast Guard was conducting a week-long patrol in the strategic waterway, coinciding with the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to Manila earlier in the week to meet with his Philippine counterpart and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In February, the Philippine Coast Guard noted that "a Chinese ship directed military-grade lasers at one of its vessels supporting a resupply mission in the disputed waterway, resulting in temporary blindness of its crew." China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, through which approximately three trillion dollars' worth of goods pass annually. The Philippines has repeatedly urged Beijing to cease its "hostile activities" in the region.
