- On July 24, 2026, a Chinese ship fired a water cannon at a Philippine vessel carrying a CNN crew near Scarborough Shoal, marking the third confrontation that week.
- The China Coast Guard warned the Philippine vessel over a megaphone to leave immediately, threatening firm action if they did not comply.
- A Chinese ship came within seven meters of the Philippine vessel, creating a serious risk of collision.
- The Philippine mission was canceled due to a developing typhoon, but Chinese ships continued to shadow them for hours afterward.
- Philippine authorities reported a total of 15 Chinese vessels (Coast Guard and maritime militia) against 10 Philippine ships, including three coast guard vessels.
- Lin Jian, a spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry, defended the action as legitimate and lawful, stating it was professional, standard, and beyond reproach.
- The 30-meter Philippine ship was shadowed overnight by a 111-meter China Coast Guard vessel, highlighting the size disparity.
A Chinese ship fired water cannons at a Philippine vessel carrying a CNN crew near Scarborough Shoal, a contested area in the South China Sea, on Friday. This incident is part of a series of confrontations, with the Chinese Coast Guard warning, “Leave immediately … Otherwise, we will take firm action in accordance with the law,” over a megaphone.12
The Philippine vessel, part of a mission to resupply local fishermen, was shadowed by a Chinese ship that came within seven meters (about 23 feet), posing a “serious risk of collision,” according to reports. In total, 15 Chinese vessels were involved, including those from the Coast Guard and maritime militia, while the Philippines deployed 10 ships, three from its coast guard.35
The situation escalated as the Philippine ships ultimately canceled their mission due to a developing typhoon, leading to a decrease in tension. However, Chinese Coast Guard ships continued to shadow the Philippine vessels from a distance. CNN's exclusive access aboard the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel highlighted the ongoing maritime disputes, with Beijing asserting its actions were “legitimate and lawful” in upholding its rights, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.46
As the Philippine ship sailed through the South China Sea, it was closely monitored by a much larger Chinese vessel, underscoring the power dynamics at play in these contested waters.
“A China Coast Guard vessel came within seven meters of the Philippine ship, posing a 'serious risk of collision,' and warned via megaphone to leave immediately. The Philippine mission was later canceled due a developing typhoon, though Chinese ships continued shadowing.”
CNN
