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(Bloomberg) — The Philippines said a Chinese maritime militia vessel \u201cdeliberately sideswiped\u201d and caused minor damage on a government fisheries boat in the South China Sea amid lingering tensions between the two nations in the disputed waters.<\/p>\n
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The incident took place on Friday while two vessels of Manila\u2019s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources boats conducted routine patrol near the Philippines-occupied Thitu Island in the Spratly Islands, according to a statement from the agency on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese dangerous maneuvers caused the sideswiping and collision with the BFAR vessel, which sustained minor dents in its starboard bow,\u201d the agency said. The Philippine ship was able to continue with its mission in the cays near Thitu, it said, despite the moves by the Chinese boat.<\/p>\n
Vessels of the two countries have repeatedly clashed in the South China Sea as the Philippines pushed back against Beijing\u2019s expansive claims over the key waterway.<\/p>\n
Read: Why China Keeps Ramming Philippine Ships and Where That\u2019s Headed<\/p>\n
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