ANKARA

China accused the Philippines of carrying out “provocative” actions near Ren’ai Jiao, a reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, as tensions between the two maritime neighbors escalate.

China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu on Friday said Manila’s grounded warship recently released two small boats that approached Chinese vessels despite repeated warnings, state-run Global Times reported.

“Chinese coast guard vessels took control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with laws and regulations, and the operations were legitimate and lawful,” Gan said.

He warned Manila to halt “acts of infringement, provocation, and propaganda hype,” adding that Chinese patrols would continue to “resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

The latest accusations follow a Philippine claim last week that two Chinese vessels collided during a pursuit near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, known in China as Huangyan Island and in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc.

The Philippine Coast Guard said a China Coast Guard ship “performed a risky maneuver” while chasing the BRP Suluan, leading to an impact with a Chinese navy vessel.

The incident took place as Manila deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan to protect its fishing boats in the area.

China and the Philippines have overlapping claims over the Second Thomas Shoal—also known as Ayungin Shoal, Bai Co May, and Ren’ai Jiao—a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid