A Chinese naval vessel has slammed into one of its own coast guard ships while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in the disputed South China Sea.

Footage shared by Philippine authorities captured the intense moment when a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided with a larger People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel near the Scarborough Shoal, an area contested by both countries.

A loud crash can be heard in the video when the Chinese ships strike each other.

Tarriela said the PCG vessel offered assistance but the Chinese crew did not respond.

The collision comes after years of head-on disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

The Chinese government has consistently blamed the Philippines, along with other competing claimant nations like Vietnam and Malaysia, for allegedly trespassing into what it asserts are Chinese waters without dispute.

An international court has ruled the claim has no legal basis.