Ships from China and the Philippines are reported to have collided near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea , amid escalating maritime tensions between the two countries.

Both sides traded accusations on Tuesday, with China claiming that the Philippines had rammed one of its coastguard vessels in the area.

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese “aggressive actions” had damaged one of its vessels and injured one of its personnel, who sustained injuries from glass that was shattered by a Chinese water cannon.

A China Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed that it had used water cannon after the arrival of 10 Philippine boats, which it suggested were there “illegally”.

“The China Coast Guard lawfully implemented control measures against the Philippine ships,

See Full Page