China says maintaining ‘extreme patience’ with Philippines over disputed waters

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Amid contradicting versions over collision of Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea, Beijing said Monday it was “maintaining extreme patience” with Manila.

“China has kept extreme restraints and patience on the Ren’ai Reef issue, but the Philippines ignored China’s good faith and sincerity,” said Mao Ning, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Beijing’s statement came after China and the Philippines on Sunday accused each other of carrying out “provocative” actions after two collisions in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

China refers to the Second Thomas Shoal as Ren’ai Jiao, which it says is part of the Nansha Islands in the disputed waters.

Manila had said that two of its boats were bumped by Chinese vessels off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, calling the incident a “dangerous, irresponsible and illegal action.”

A China Coast Guard vessel collided with a civilian boat, contracted by the Philippines Coast Guard to carry supplies for the troops stationed in the disputed shoal, it said.

Separately, a Philippines Coast Guard ship’s left side “was bumped by Chinese maritime militia vessel 00003 while it was lying to” northeast of the Second Thomas Shoal, Manila said.

However, the China Coast Guard said there was a “slight collision” between one of its ships and a Philippine boat while the coast guard was "lawfully" blocking the boat from transporting “illegal construction materials” to the warship.

It said the Philippines vessel had ignored repeated warnings, crossed the bow of the Chinese ship and “deliberately provoked trouble,” causing the collision.

Mao said in Beijing on Monday that Manila “didn’t maintain” their own promises and kept sending vessels to trespass the waters off Ren’ai Reef to “make provocations.”

“China once again urges the Philippines to tow its illegally grounded warship away as soon as possible,” said Mao, according to Beijing-based Global Times.

Earlier on Monday, Manila summoned a Chinese diplomat to lodge protest with Beijing over the maritime collision.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a maritime investigation into the incident.

Manila is looking to complete its investigation in five days, said a statement from the Philippine presidency.