Chinese and Philippine ships collided during a fresh skirmish near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media and authorities in Manila.

“Despite repeated warnings from the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel 4410 deliberately collided with the Chinese vessel 21551,” Chinese coast guard spokesman Geng Yu was quoted as saying by Chinese state television CCTV.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including waters, reefs and islets off the coasts of neighboring states, defying a 2016 international court ruling that called Chinese claims legally untenable.

Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated in recent months following a series of similar incidents in the South China Sea.

“Philippine coast guard vessels illegally trespassed in waters near the Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government,” Mr. Geng said, using the Chinese names of Sabina Atoll and the Spratly Islands.

“The Chinese coast guard has taken control measures against Philippine vessels in accordance with the law,” he added.

China accused the Philippine Coast Guard vessels of acting in an “unprofessional and dangerous manner” that led to the “conflict”.

“We strongly urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its violations and provocations,” Geng said.

According to the New China news agency, the episode occurred at 03:24 (local time; at 22:24 yesterday Sunday Greek time).

According to the same source, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel also entered the waters of the Second Thomas Atoll, where skirmishes are often recorded between the two sides, at around 06:00 (local time).

Mr. Geng accused the Philippine Coast Guard of “repeated provocations” and “causing trouble,” violating “temporary agreements between China and the Philippines.”

On the other hand, Manila complained that two Philippine ships were damaged by Chinese ships, which made “illegal and aggressive maneuvers”.

Maneuvers by Chinese ships near Sabina Atoll today resulted in “collisions that caused structural damage to two Philippine Coast Guard vessels,” Philippine authorities insisted.