Philippines Accuses China Of Water Cannon Use As Clashes Continue For 2nd Day
The Philippine Coast Guard has accused Chinese vessels of using water cannons against their boats near the Scarborough Shoal for the second consecutive day. This incident adds to rising tensions in the South China Sea, drawing concern from international observers including the US.
Why it matters
Escalating maritime confrontations in the South China Sea pose a significant risk to regional stability and international trade routes.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday accused its Chinese counterpart of firing water cannon at government vessels near a disputed shoal for a second day, in the third confrontation between the two countries in the South China Sea this week.It said a Chinese vessel at the Scarborough Shoal, located in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, came within about 7 m (23 feet) of a Philippine fisheries boat, creating "a serious risk of collision"."The PCG strongly condemns the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard," spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a statement.He said the shoal was a traditional fishing ground of Filipinos, "whose rights cannot be lawfully impeded by any foreign power".Earlier on Friday, China's Coast Guard said it had imposed "control measures" on several Philippine vessels that it said were operating illegally in waters around Scarborough Shoal.A similar incident took place on Thursday.China has long occupied the shoal,…
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