The accident happened during a confrontation with Philippine coastguard and fishing boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal
The incident, in which Beijing claimed it had expelled a number of vessels from the area, was the latest in a series of confrontations between the two countries in the South China Sea.
Here is what we know about the incident so far.
Two Philippine coastguard vessels – the BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan – were in the area escorting the government-owned fishing carrier MV Pamamalakaya and 35 local fishing vessels as part of a government initiative to support fishing communities.
The coastguard said its ships were also delivering fuel and other supplies to the fishing boats at the time.
