The Philippines and China have traded blame over collisions of their ships in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine government said on Monday that it will launch an investigation into the incidents. It has also lodged a protest with the Chinese ambassador.

A video released by the Philippine military shows the bow of a Chinese coast guard vessel hitting the rear of Philippine supply boat near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands on Sunday.

Manila also says that a Chinese maritime militia vessel bumped into a Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship escorting the supply boat.

The Philippines' defense minister stressed in a news conference that the collisions took place in his country's exclusive economic zone.

Gilberto Teodoro said, "This is a serious escalation of the illegal activities conducted by the Chinese government."
He also claimed Beijing is "deliberately obfuscating the truth" about the incidents.

But Beijing argues that the Philippine vessels ignored a warning and caused the collisions by navigating recklessly. It says the Philippine side is wholly to blame.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, "China urges the Philippines to respect our serious concerns and to end their provocations and dangerous actions in the sea."

Near collisions have happened several times recently as Philippine vessels deliver supplies to a military outpost on the disputed shoal.

But Sunday's encounters marked the first time that the Philippines reported its ships being hit by Chinese boats, amid Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.