China and the Philippines have accused each other of ramming their ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea as their clashes over the vital waterway escalate.

China’s coastguard on Saturday said a Philippine ship, “illegally stranded” at the Sabina Shoal, “deliberately rammed” a Chinese vessel.

The Philippine coastguard said a Chinese vessel had “intentionally rammed” one of Manila’s ships. The Sabina Shoal is the new flashpoint in the maritime confrontations between Manila and Beijing.