Philippines says China rammed their ship in South China Sea

The Philippines, on Sunday, accused a Chinese ship of deliberately colliding with a Philippine vessel anchored near an island in the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese maritime forces used water cannon and rammed a Filipino government ship near the Thitu Island, according to Manila. The Philippines' officials described the incident as a "clear threat" from Beijing.

Such confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have grown increasingly common in recent years. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea which is a crucial path for over $3 trillion (€ 2.58 trillion) in annual ship trade.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that most of China's claims in the South China Sea, particularly on its resources, had no basis in international law. It was a landmark victory for the Philippines but the issue remains rife nearly a decade later, and China continues raising the pressure on Manila and other naval rivals to comply with Beijing's stance.

Parts of the waters are also claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have been rising steadily through the year, especially over a prime fishing location in the disputed waters.

Who's challenging Beijing in the South China Sea?