The Chinese coastguard said that a Philippine supply vessel approached a Chinese vessel in a dangerous manner, resulting in a minor collision. It had illegally entered the waters near the Second Thomas Shoal of the South China Sea.

In a press release, the Coast Guard said that the Philippine transport ship and replenishment vessel ignored China's repeated warnings.

The guard stated that the vessel approached the Chinese ship deliberately and in a dangerous manner. This led to a collision. The statement did not mention any injuries or damage on either vessel.

China and the Philippines have been exchanging accusations for months over dangerous maneuvers and collisions on the Second Thomas Shoal atoll, which is located in the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines has deployed resupply missions to Filipino soldiers who live aboard a warship that is deliberately stranded in order to protect Manila maritime claims.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea. This is a channel for more than 3 trillion dollars of shipborne commerce annually, and includes parts claimed by the Philippines. Vietnam, Indonesia. Malaysia, and Brunei.

China warned the Philippines against invading its territorial waters. The country issued new rules on June 15 that will enforce a law in 2021 that allows its coastguards to use lethal forces against foreign vessels in waters it claims.

China's new rule allows the coastguard to hold suspected trespassers for 60 days without trial. (Reporting and editing by Kim Coghill, Lincoln Feast and Shanghai newsroom.