EU 'condemns dangerous actions' by China against Philippine ship

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Union accused China on Sunday of taking "dangerous actions" against the Philippines, as Beijing and Manila blamed each other of deliberately ramming their coast guard ships.

The collision marks the latest in a spate of similar incidents in recent weeks in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims almost all of the economically vital body of water despite competing claims from other countries and an international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

"The EU condemns the dangerous action by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against lawful Philippine maritime operations  in the area of the Sabina Shoa," said Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell, in a statement.

A Chinese coast guard spokesperson had said Saturday's incident took place off the disputed Sabina Shoal, which has emerged as a new hotspot in the long-running maritime confrontations between the two countries.

The incidents "endanger the safety of life at sea, and violate the right to freedom of navigation to which all nations are entitled under international law," the EU statement said.

"The EU condemns all unlawful, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region."

Since taking office in 2022, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Manila has more firmly asserted its claim to sovereignty over disputed reefs despite Beijing showing no intention of backing down on its own claims.