The Philippines claims that a Chinese coast guard ship has sideswiped and fired water cannons at one of its vessels near Scarborough Shoal, increasing tensions in a long-standing territorial dispute. The US has condemned China's actions.
Escalating Tensions: Philippines Accuses China Coast Guard of Aggression
Escalating Tensions: Philippines Accuses China Coast Guard of Aggression
A recent encounter in the South China Sea sees the Philippines urging international attention as their vessel is reportedly attacked by the Chinese coast guard.
The Philippines has reported a serious maritime incident involving its government vessel and the China Coast Guard in the contested waters of the South China Sea, close to the contentious Scarborough Shoal. According to Philippine authorities, the Chinese coast guard not only fired a water cannon at their vessel but also "sideswiped" it during the altercation.
Video footage released by the Philippine government appears to show the Chinese ship directing a powerful stream of water towards their fisheries department vessel. In another clip, crew members aboard the Philippine boat can be heard yelling, "Collision! Collision!" as they faced the impending contact from the Chinese vessel.
The Philippine Coast Guard has characterized the incident as an intentional sideswipe by the Chinese ship, which reportedly launched a subsequent water cannon attack on the same vessel. However, the Chinese coast guard has countered these allegations, claiming that Philippine ships were operating too close to them and asserting that their actions adhered to the law. They further accused Manila of making "bogus accusations" intended to manipulate international opinion.
MaryKay Carlson, the US ambassador to the Philippines, condemned these actions, stating that the "unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous manoeuvres" jeopardized a Philippine maritime operation and put lives at risk.
The South China Sea remains a hotspot for maritime disputes, with recent encounters highlighting the escalating tensions. Reports indicate that dangerous confrontations between the two nations have proliferated in the past year as each side looks to assert control over strategic maritime territories, including the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal.
Incidents have increasingly included powerful water cannon attacks, as well as allegations of Chinese vessels boarding Philippine boats, leading to physical altercations, confiscation of items, and damage to Philippine craft.
