Philippines summons China envoy over water cannon incident

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel deployed a water cannon against two Philippine vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, causing damage and prompting Manila to summon a senior Chinese envoy in protest.

The incident involved a Philippine coast guard ship and a fisheries vessel that were patrolling the waters off Scarborough Shoal when they were confronted by four Chinese coast guard ships and six suspected militia ships.

The Chinese coast guard ship used a water cannon against the Philippine fisheries vessel, while two other Chinese coast guard ships simultaneously hit the Philippine coast guard ship, damaging its deck railing and a canopy. The Philippine vessels sustained damages, including to their electrical, navigation, and radio systems.

The Philippines' foreign ministry strongly protested the incident, citing the "harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing, blocking, and dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels." The Philippines urged the Chinese boats to leave the surrounding waters immediately and demanded that China halt its "dangerous and destabilizing actions" in the sea.

The Philippines said the pressure used in the water cannon incident was far more powerful than anything previously used, tearing or bending metal sections and equipment on the Philippine vessels. This was the 20th diplomatic protest lodged by Manila in 2023, and the 153rd since President Ferdinand Marcos came to power in mid-2022.

Why this matters: The incident at Scarborough Shoal highlights the ongoing territorial disputes and escalating tensions in the South China Sea between China and other claimant countries like the Philippines. The confrontations emphasize the difficulties in resolving competing maritime claims and the potential for further diplomatic and military friction in the region.

The Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint between the Philippines and China since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. China claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, a decision rejected by an international tribunal in 2016. The latest incident came as the Philippines and the US held a major annual military exercise that has infuriated Beijing.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines remained undeterred following the latest incidents and that no one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese Coast Guard used water cannon on Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal.
• Philippine vessels sustained damage to electrical, navigation, and radio systems.
• Philippines strongly protested the incident, citing "harassment, ramming, swarming" by China.
• Incident highlights ongoing territorial disputes and escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
• Philippines remains undeterred, asserting its legitimate rights in the West Philippine Sea.