Chinese and Philippine maritime forces clash at Second Thomas Shoal
Beijing and Manila exchanged fresh accusations over a clash in the South China Sea, coming just as China's top diplomat is due to attend the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in the Philippines. The China Coast Guard said two rubber dinghies were launched "illegally" from the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre near Second Thomas Shoal.
China and the Philippines traded accusations after a maritime incident near Second Thomas Shoal. The China Coast Guard said that around 9am on Monday, while a small Chinese coast guard vessel was patrolling the area, two rubber dinghies were launched "illegally" from the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre.
The incident comes just as China's top diplomat is due to attend the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in the Philippines, raising the risk that regional tensions could overshadow the diplomatic agenda. Manila had not issued a detailed response as of the latest reports.
Second Thomas Shoal has long been a flashpoint for friction between China and the Philippines. Observers say such incidents could further complicate the test of unity facing ASEAN at this week's meetings.
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