China and the Philippines exchanged accusations on Tuesday following a violent altercation between navy personnel in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine officials reported that one sailor suffered a head injury during the confrontation.

The incident occurred on Monday near Second Thomas Shoal, a contested area where the two countries have repeatedly clashed. The Philippines maintains a military presence aboard the grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre. Manila alleged that Chinese Coast Guard personnel assaulted Filipino sailors as they approached the outpost.

Beijing swiftly rejected this narrative. China's Foreign Ministry stated that the "Philippine side provoked the incident first" by approaching a Chinese vessel in small rubber boats, then "turned around and made counter-accusations, distorted the facts and engaged in malicious hype." China summoned the Philippine ambassador, and the Philippines reciprocated.

Second Thomas Shoal is part of the Spratly Islands, a disputed archipelago central to Beijing's claim over the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 arbitration ruling that found no legal basis for its claims. China has repeatedly demanded the removal of the Philippine outpost.

The clash came ahead of an ASEAN summit in Manila. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong denounced Beijing for "destabilizing and dangerous conduct" and announced a $6.7 million support package for the Philippine Coast Guard, including drone technology.

The US State Department also criticized China, stating that its "troubling pattern of provocations against the Philippines' legitimate maritime operations undermines regional peace and stability." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Manila for the summit and indicated openness to meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Source: www.dw.com