In the last 24 hours a Chinese Coastguard vessel operating more than 650 nautical miles off the coast of the People’s Republic of China in an area of the South China Sea known as the Second Thomas Shoal has deliberately rammed a supply vessel belonging to the Philippines Navy.
Two Filipino sailors were killed in the incident and six more have been hospitalized with injuries. The Chinese Ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry.
China’s Foreign Ministry maintains that moves by Chinese Coastguard were ‘professional’ at all times and it has lodged firm representations with Manila.
HMS Daring, a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer, along with accompanying vessels from the US and Australia, is currently deployed in a defensive posture in support of Taiwan and to help provide security in the South China Sea. No UK assets were involved in the incident.