China Coast Guard reports reef clash with Philippine boats

At around 9:00 am on Monday, while a small China Coast Guard (CCG) patrol vessel was conducting a routine patrol in waters near China's Ren'ai Jiao, the Philippine illegally "grounded" vessel No 57 deployed two rubber boats.

Ignoring repeated clear warnings from the Chinese side, the Philippine rubber boats approached the Chinese patrol vessel at high speed in a dangerous manner and attempted to surround and ram it, according to an official statement from the CCG released on Monday.

In accordance with the law and regulations, the Chinese side took measures including verbal warnings, maneuvering, and corresponding countermeasures to stabilize and control the situation on site, while exercising maximum restraint and rationality.