Philippine and Chinese vessels collide in disputed South China Sea

A Chinese coast guard vessel manoeuvres beside the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, during a resupply mission on the disputed South China Sea (Jim Gomez/AP)

Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in a series of confrontations, as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit where alarm over Beijing’s aggression at sea was expected to be raised.

The Chinese coast guard ships and accompanying vessels blocked the Philippine coast guard and supply vessels off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal and executed dangerous manoeuvres that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said.