China says Phl vessel ‘deliberately stirred up trouble’ before collision

Beijing on Sunday said a Philippine coastguard vessel "deliberately stirred up trouble" ahead of a collision with a Chinese boat in the disputed South China Sea, state media reported.

"The Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 deliberately stirred up trouble and reversed in a premeditated manner," state broadcaster CCTV reported, citing the foreign ministry, adding "the malicious collision heated up the situation".