There is a reason for every stereotype, and the Chinese problem with steering and following the rules of the road -- "Ruse are for othe peeper!" -- extends beyond terra firm, onto the water. This was demonstrated just yesterday, when two Chinese vessels collided in the South China Sea while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat near the contested Scarborough Shoal.
Yes, we have video, released by officials in Manila, which shows a Chinese coast guard vessel shooting a water cannon and tracking close behind a Philippine coast guard boat until the former collided with a much larger People’s Liberation Army craft, leaving visible damage on both Chinese vessels.
The video, taken from the stern of the Filipino patrol boat BRP Suluan, shows a Chinese Coast Guard vessel aggressively and dangerously firing a water cannon while pursuing the smaller Filipino craft at high speed. The Chinese Coast Guard vessel then slammed into an even bigger People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship that was maneuvering behind the Suluan.
The Filipino patrol boat, having observed Chinese personnel working on the deck of the Coast Guard ship before the collision, circled around to offer assistance, but the Chinese did not respond.
The Philippine Foreign Ministry said today that the actions of the Chinese ships "not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels. Yesterday's incident demonstrates the importance of adhering to international maritime rules."
Walt is reminded of one of the early scenes from Bridge on the River Kwai in which the Japanese Colonel Saito shouts at the British Colonel Nicholson, "Rules? What rules?! What do you know of rules?! This is war, not a game of cricket!"
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