THIS is the shocking moment a Chinese warship rammed into a Filipino fishing vessel – before Beijing had the gall to claim it wasn’t their fault.
Dramatic footage shows the China Coast Guard clatter into the ship’s side as they cross paths in contested waters.
Shocking footage shows Chinese Coast Guard ramming a Philippine fisheries ship Credit: SCSPI
The deliberate angle of attack makes Beijing’s brazen claim that it wasn’t at fault laughable Credit: SCSPI
The vessel deliberately charges towards the Philippine government boat on a mission to resupply fuel to fisherman.
Chinese Coast Guard can be seen careening into the ship’s stern, with the high-speed impact tilting it aggressively.
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The collision lasts for around 30 seconds, with the Filipino ship shaking violently from the force.
It is eventually spun nearly 90 degrees, before the two boats finally separated.
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A different angle taken by the Filipino sailors shows the Chinese ship harassing the boat’s stern as a crew member frantically shouts “collision”.
China has since claimed that Philippine vessel “bears full responsibility for the incident”.
The collision took place near a shoal in the disputed Spratly Islands chain, a fish-rich flashpoint that has been the site of violent confrontations with China Coast Guard vessels in recent years.
Beijing claims most of the South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
Another angle shows the Chinese ship harassing the boat’s stern Credit: X
The Philippines and China have clashed over fishing rights in the disputed South China Sea Credit: X
The Chinese vessel “rammed BRP Datu Magat Salamat… as it carried out its maritime patrol to deliver fuel subsidy to our fishermen”, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said.
“At 11:04am, CCG-21585 cut across the stern of the BFAR (fisheries bureau) vessel at a distance of only about 33ft.”
Nine minutes later, the “Chinese vessel repeated the manoeuvre and this time made contact, striking the BFAR vessel”, the statement continued.
Manila’s foreign ministry said there was “no justification” for the Chinese ship “to undertake aggressive actions against a Philippine civilian law enforcement vessel”.
It added that the incident “resulted in a minor collision,” with the damage yet to be seen.
The Philippines has called on Beijing to “exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions in the region”.
Jiang Lue, a spokesperson for China’s coast guard, blamed the Philippine vessel for “disregarding repeated solemn warnings” and deliberately changing course to “cut across the bow of the Chinese coast guard vessel”.
He added: “The Philippine side’s actions seriously violated international law, threatening the safety of Chinese coast guard vessels and personnel.
“We sternly warn the Philippine side to immediately cease all acts of infringement and provocation; otherwise, it must bear all consequences.”
The Philippines and China renewed their confrontations in the South China Sea in July after a brief period of quiet, making headlines just as Manila was hosting a gathering of ASEAN foreign ministers.
Last October, another Chinese ship was seen deliberately ramming a Philippine government vessel after firing it water cannon at the boat.
It caused “minor structural damage but no injuries to the crew”, the Philippines coast guard said.
“Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions… we will not be intimidated or driven away,” they added.
