China's Defence Ministry accused Philippine Coast Guard vessels of "dangerous maneuvers" on Friday in response to reports that two Chinese vessels collided earlier this week near Scarborough Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, said that "the actions of Philippine vessels seriously endangered the safety and personnel on Chinese vessels."

Jiang did not confirm or deny that two Chinese vessels collided on Monday.

Jiang stated, "We demand the Philippine side to immediately cease its provocative and infringing rhetoric and actions." "China reserves its right to take countermeasures."

The Scarborough Shoal is a major source for tension as it's a strategic channel that carries more than $3 trillion in annual shipborne commerce.

A video from the Philippine Coast Guard shows a Chinese Coastguard ship following the PCG vessel. Then, a Chinese Navy ship abruptly cuts across the path of that other Chinese vessel and collides with it. This damages the forecastle on the PCG vessel.

This was the first collision between Chinese vessels that has been reported in the area.

The Philippines said on Friday that it was not responsible for the collision.

Theresa Lazaro, Manila's Foreign Minister, said that the outcome was unfortunate but not caused by their actions.

Manila reported on Tuesday that the Philippine Coast Guard sent three vessels to the Scarborough Shoal on Monday, before the collision occurred, to provide supplies for Filipino fishers.

The latest incident in a string of similar incidents that have occurred during a time of increased tensions between Manila, China and Taiwan over territorial disputes in South China Sea.

China has rejected a 2016 decision by an international arbitral court that invalidated Beijing's broad claims in the region. The tribunal ruled they were not based on international law. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom, Editing by Clarence Fernandez & Alex Richardson

(source: Reuters)