China's Coast Guard stated that a Philippine vessel which ignored their repeated warnings "deliberately" collided with a Chinese ship in a "unprofessional" and "dangerous" manner.

China's maritime safety said in one of its statements that the same Philippine vessel entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal, after being prohibited from entering Sabina Shoal waters.

According to Gan Yu, the spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, two Philippine Coast Guard vessels "illegally invaded" waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal in the early morning hours of Monday.

Gan stated that the Philippines had repeatedly caused trouble and violated temporary agreements between China and the Philippines. He was referring to the Philippines' supply missions to a ship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal.

China's Coast Guard claimed that it had taken control measures in accordance with law against the Philippine vessels in the early morning incidents. It warned the Philippines "to immediately stop infringement and provocation" or "bear the consequences".

A spokesman for the Philippines Coast Guard did not respond immediately to a comment request.

China and the Philippines came to a "provisional" agreement in July following repeated clashes near the Second Thomas Shoal. China was heavily criticized by the west for its aggressiveness in blocking Philippine attempts to resupply soldiers aboard a ship that it deliberately grounded 25 years earlier.

Beijing has claimed almost the entire South China Sea including both shoals. It rejects a 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, which said that Beijing's expansive claim had no legal basis in international law. Reporting by Liz Lee, Shanghai newsroom and Lincoln Feast; Editing by Tom Hogue & Lincoln Feast.

(source: Reuters)