A Chinese Coast Guard vessel has been left damaged after a reported collision with a Chinese warship in the South China Sea. The incident is believed to have occurred as Chinese ships were harassing Philippine coastguard ships near the Scarborough Shoal.

The area is a high-tide elevation feature that’s within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but has been under Chinese control since 2012. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a statement: “The CCG 3104, which was chasing the BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky maneuver from the PCG vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA Navy warship. This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy.”

The PCG added that its vessel was left unscathed but the Chinese ship reported sustained “substantial damage.

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