Philippine and Chinese vessels collide in disputed South China Sea

Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijing’s aggression at sea.
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 maneuvers that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said.
Officials in China gave fewer details but the country’s coast guard said that the Philippine ships were illegally intruding in the area’s waters and accused one of them of ramming a Chinese vessel.