Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Jiang Lue disputed Manila's account of the September 18, 2026 collision, claiming the Philippine vessel intentionally adjusted course and accelerated to cut across the Chinese ship's bow

The overlapping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea, principally between China and Southeast Asian states including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, encompassing disputed islands, reefs and shoals, and the naval, coastguard and diplomatic confrontations arising from them.