Tensions in the South China Sea flared again this week as the Philippines accused China’s coastguard of firing water cannon and sideswiping a government research vessel during a scientific expedition near disputed territory, as per Al Jazeera.
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) condemned what it described on Thursday as “aggressive interference” by the Chinese coastguard against the BRP Datu Sanday and a second Philippine vessel conducting a marine research mission on Wednesday near the Sandy Cay reef, part of the contested Spratly Islands.
According to the BFAR, the Chinese coastguard ship CCG 21559 used a water cannon and rammed the Datu Sanday twice at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time, damaging its port bow and smokestack and endangering the lives of civilian personnel onboard.
Despite the confrontation, the scientific team was able to complete its sand sampling operations in the area known in the Philippines as Pag-Asa Cays 1, 2, and 3.
“This is the first known use of water cannon by Chinese authorities near the Sandy Cay reef,” the BFAR said, labeling the encounter as a violation of maritime norms and international law.
In a statement, the Chinese coastguard blamed the incident on the Philippine vessel, alleging it had “illegally intruded” into waters near what China calls Sany Cay and had “dangerously” approached the Chinese ship, resulting in a collision.
China’s foreign ministry declined to confirm details of the encounter. Spokesperson Mao Ning said she was unaware of the incident but added that “the Chinese coastguard always enforces the law in accordance with laws and regulations.”
Beijing continues to assert sweeping claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, including territories also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. China’s expansive territorial stance was invalidated by a 2016 ruling from an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague, which found that China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing has rejected that ruling.
The latest maritime clash follows a pattern of recent confrontations between the two countries. Just last month, Manila denounced a Chinese state media report that claimed Chinese authorities had taken control of Sandy Cay 2, calling the report “irresponsible.”
China’s state broadcaster CCTV had stated that the coastguard had “implemented maritime control” over what it refers to as Tiexian Reef in April.
