China has claimed that a Philippine ship deliberately made a dangerous turn in the waters off the Spratly Islands in an action that Filipino officials reported to be rather intentionally caused by Chinese personnel.
Zhai Shichen, spokesman for China's People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Southern Theater Command, said China's navy vessel, PLANS 352, was conducting a routine patrol in waters off the Spratly Islands—a territory it unilaterally claims to be its own—when it detected a Philippine Navy ship on March 25.
The Chinese navy supposedly initiated a radio communication against its Filipino counterpart and allegedly ignored "repeated radio reminders from the Chinese side, the Philippine ship 507."
"Navigating on the port side of PLANS 532, [the Philippine ship] adjusted its course to the starboard side before making a deliberate turn to the same direction, dangerously approaching PLANS 532 and disrupting its navigation," Zhai claimed.
On Friday, March 27, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it was the Chinese side that took a dangerous maneuver that was "intentional, not accidental."
AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad called the move “coercive and aggressive,” as well as “unprofessional and unsafe." He said such actions have “no room in a civilized world.”
The Chinese official maintained "the Philippine side made a false accusation, claiming that the Chinese ship made a “dangerous approach.'"
"We sternly urge the Philippine side to strictly control operations of its maritime and air troops, immediately cease all provocative and risky acts, as well as its smear campaigns and propaganda," he said, adding they are always on high alert, ready to defend China's supposed territorial sovereignty.