In the early hours of Aug. 19, a Chinese coast guard vessel attempted to stop a Philippine ship from reaching Sabina Shoal. The Philippine ship behaved "in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a collision," according to Gan Yu, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, who added, "Responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines."
Philippine authorities disputed this account, saying the collision was the result of "unlawful and aggressive maneuvers" by the Chinese coast guard, which left the Philippine BRP Cape Engano with a hole in its deck.
In addition to the collision, a Chinese coast guard vessel rammed another Philippine vessel, the BRP Bagacay, twice, "leading to minor structural damage," according to the Philippine National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea.
The incident marked the first time in decades that the two countries have clashed over Sabina Shoal, which is among the closest maritime features in the contested Spratly island archipelago to the Philippines.
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