China and the Philippines are facing another dangerous confrontation in the South China Sea. A Philippine government vessel on a fuel-assistance mission for Filipino fishermen encountered a Chinese Coast Guard vessel near a contested maritime area, with the two ships coming dangerously close before a collision damaged the Philippine vessel. The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed waters. At the centre of the wider dispute are competing maritime claims, fishing rights, the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoal. While maritime tensions continue, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation and dialogue with China. So why do these encounters keep happening? And how is Manila balancing maritime disputes with its broader relationship with Beijing? This video explains the latest confrontation and the larger South China Sea dispute behind it. Gursshheen Gahllen brings you the details on Firstpost Live.
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