The incident occurred on Sunday outside the island of Pag-asa, also called Thitu, in the South China Sea. The island is controlled by the Philippines, but China claims it.
No people on the ship, which belongs to the Philippine fishing fleet, were injured. According to the Philippine coast guard, the ship, which was anchored, was rammed by the Chinese coast guard and sustained minor damage.
The ship was also reportedly fired at with a water cannon. A spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard calls the action "harassment" and says that the country will not give up any territory to foreign power.
China claims that the Philippine ship illegally entered Chinese territory, despite repeated warnings, and that it therefore took action in accordance with the law.
