- Chinese ships fired water cannon at Philippine vessels, including one carrying a CNN crew, near a dangerous flashpoint in the South China Sea on Friday – the third tense confrontation this week in the contested waters.
- During the third confrontation, the Chinese ship circled the Philippine vessel continuously, as its water cannon hit the ship.
- The Philippine ships eventually canceled their mission on Friday and headed back to port, citing a developing typhoon in the region.
- In total there were 15 Chinese vessels, belonging to China’s Coast Guard and its so-called “maritime militia,” Philippine authorities later said.
- On Monday, the Philippine military reported a China Coast Guard ship dispatched a smaller boat that approached the Sierra Madre, leading to a confrontation.
- A second confrontation occurred on Thursday, where China’s Coast Guard said it drove away two Philippine vessels that it accused of “intruding into” waters near Scarborough Shoal.
- China has effectively controlled Scarborough Shoal since 2012 by maintaining an almost-constant coast guard presence in nearby waters.
- An international tribunal ruled in 2016 that China has no legal basis to claim historical rights to the bulk of the South China Sea.
- China’s coast guard has ramped up its presence in the region, with its vessels spending 993 ship days around Scarborough Shoal in June alone.
China's coast guard has intensified confrontations with the Philippines, firing water cannons at Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal, a site of escalating tensions. This incident marks the third confrontation in a week, with the Philippines accusing China of aggressive maneuvers in its exclusive economic zone.
On Friday, a Chinese ship came within seven meters of a Philippine vessel, creating a serious risk of collision. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that water cannons were used against two of its ships, prompting condemnation from spokesperson Jay Tarriela, who stated, “The PCG strongly condemns the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard.”
The confrontations began earlier in the week, with a Philippine military report detailing a Chinese ship's aggressive approach to the Sierra Madre, leading to physical altercations between crews. The Philippines has responded by deploying its own vessels to escort away Chinese boats.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended its actions, claiming they were “reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach,” while urging the Philippines to cease what it termed “infringement and provocation.” The U.S. has expressed support for the Philippines, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning China's “dangerous and aggressive” moves.
The ongoing tensions highlight the complex geopolitical landscape in the South China Sea, where both nations assert claims over the contested waters, despite an international tribunal ruling in 2016 that undermined China's historical claims.
“Chinese vessels came within seven meters of a Philippine ship, creating a serious risk of collision, as 15 Chinese ships were involved. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the 'dangerous and aggressive' moves, reaffirming support for the Philippines.”
