China Coast Guard (CCG) on Wednesday warned the Philippine side to immediately halt its rights infringement, provocation and inflammatory action after a Philippine vessel deliberately rammed into a CCG ship in waters around China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea earlier in the day.
In a statement issued after the incident, CCG Spokesman Liu Dejun said that if such provocation on the part of the Philippine side continues, "the Philippines will be held accountable for all consequences arising therefrom."
During the incident, the Philippine official vessel 3003 ignored multiple stern warnings from the CCG, made a sharp turn, reversed and deliberately rammed into CCG vessel 3302, severely threatening the safety of the CCG ships onsite, Liu said.
The Philippine side, acting provocatively, was the party at fault, the spokesman added.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Philippines deployed coast guard vessels, official ships and fishing boats to intrude into Chinese territorial waters around the Huangyan Island. The CCG responded by enforcing control in accordance with law and regulations.
The Philippine side, under the pretext of protecting fishing activities, has actually engaged in infringement and provocation. Afterwards, they distorted the facts and attempted to mislead international perception, Liu said.
China warns Philippines to halt provocation after ship-ramming incident in South China Sea
