Despite video clips showing Chinese ships running after a Philippine vessel, China said it was the Philippines that rammed into its ship.
"On August 25, an official vessel of Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources [BFAR]... intruded into the adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao, and acted dangerously by deliberately ramming the China Coast Guard vessel that was carrying out law enforcement operation," Lin Jian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Monday, Aug. 26.
Lin also said that the Philippines supposedly ignored China's "firm and repeated dissuasion."
His pronouncement came after a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship chased and rammed into a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the waters off Escoda Shoal.
"The CCG vessels made close perilous maneuvers that resulted in ramming, blasted horns, and deployed water cannons against the BFAR vessel, eventually leading to the latter’s engine failure and forcing an early termination of the humanitarian operation," Jay Tarriela, Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, spoke about the maritime incident.
But for China, what it did was "professional, restrained and appropriate."
On the other hand, several countries came out to support the Philippines from China's actions.
The ambassadors of the United States, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, France and Canada voiced out their condemnation against Beijing's aggression and called on China to respect international law and the arbitral ruling.
"The responsibility of causing the collision fully lies with the Philippines. China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international law," Lin also said.
Lin said that the Philippines is now seeking a long-term presence in Escoda Shoal by attempting to anchor a coast guard ship into the lagoon, which is well within the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"The Philippines’ move seriously infringes on China’s sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatens the peace and stability in the South China Sea," Lin claimed.
He then urged the Philippines to stop its supposed "infringement and provocation activities at once, and withdraw the vessel immediately."