China Summons Philippine Ambassador Following South China Sea Incident

On Tuesday, China summoned the Philippine ambassador in response to an incident that occurred the previous day near a small island contested by both nations in the South China Sea, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The ministry announced it urgently called the ambassador to deliver a formal protest against what it described as a deliberate provocation and aggression by Philippine forces against Chinese coast guard personnel near the Ren'ai Reefs, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, a coral island within the Spratly Islands.

Manila reported that two Philippine boats attempted to push away a Chinese vessel that was hovering around the wreckage of a ship used by Philippine forces as an advanced outpost, while capturing photos and videos.

The Philippine side stated that Chinese sailors responded violently and aggressively, striking a Philippine coast guard member on the head, causing injury and damage to a rubber boat.

China rejected Manila’s account, calling it a complete distortion of the facts.

According to a statement from the Chinese Coast Guard, it took countermeasures and issued verbal warnings in response to two rubber boats deployed from a Philippine ship that was stationary in the area.

The incident occurred just days before a scheduled meeting between the foreign ministers of the Philippines and China on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila.

China claims full sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a vital commercial shipping route, a stance that has caused discontent among several neighboring countries.

The Philippine Defense Ministry characterized the incident as part of a clear pattern of provocative and hostile behavior by the Chinese coast guard.