In a dramatic escalation of maritime tensions, Chinese coastguard vessels have deployed water cannons against Philippine ships in the highly contested Scarborough Shoal, according to Manila authorities.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when Philippine vessels conducting routine resupply missions faced aggressive tactics from Chinese maritime forces. Manila's task force overseeing the South China Sea reported significant damage to one of its vessels following the confrontation.
Condemnation from Manila
The Philippines government issued a strong condemnation, labelling China's actions as "illegal and aggressive" and accusing Beijing of violating international maritime laws. "These dangerous manoeuvres threaten regional stability and demonstrate blatant disregard for established maritime protocols," stated the Philippine task force.
This latest confrontation represents one of the most serious incidents in recent months amid ongoing territorial disputes in the resource-rich waterway. The Scarborough Shoal, located approximately 120 nautical miles west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon, has been a persistent flashpoint between the two nations.
Beijing's Justification
Chinese authorities defended their actions, claiming the Philippine vessels had "trespassed" into what Beijing considers its territorial waters. The Chinese coastguard stated it took "necessary measures" to enforce maritime law and protect what it calls China's "indisputable sovereignty" over the area.
Regional security analysts warn that such confrontations risk triggering broader conflicts in one of the world's most crucial shipping lanes, through which an estimated $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually.
International Concerns
The United States, which maintains a mutual defence treaty with the Philippines, has repeatedly stated that any armed attack on Philippine vessels would invoke American defence commitments. This latest incident is likely to heighten concerns among Western allies about China's expanding maritime ambitions.
Observers note that water cannon attacks, while non-lethal, represent an increasingly common tool in China's strategy to assert control over disputed territories without triggering full-scale military conflict.
