A tense standoff between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea turned violent on Tuesday, with ships colliding and water cannons allegedly causing injuries and damage.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), two Chinese ships pursued the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, a fisheries vessel delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal. The PCG said the Chinese vessels fired high-pressure water cannons for nearly 30 minutes, shattering glass on the bridge and injuring a crew member.
“This aggressive action lasted for about 29 minutes, resulting in significant damage, including shattered glass from the aft window of the bridge,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela reported.
China presented a different account, with Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu accusing the Philippine vessel of “deliberately ramming” a Chinese ship after ignoring repeated warnings. Beijing said the incident involved more than 10 Philippine vessels, while Manila claimed nine Chinese ships were deployed. Both sides released video footage showing a collision at sea.
The clash comes just a week after Beijing announced plans to establish a “nature reserve” at Scarborough Shoal, a move the Philippines denounced as a “pretext for occupation.”
Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines’ United Nations-recognized exclusive economic zone. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling invalidating China’s sweeping claims, Beijing continues to assert “historical rights” over much of the South China Sea.
The latest encounter underscores the escalating risks in one of the world’s most volatile maritime flashpoints.
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