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Tensions between China and the Philippines flared for a second day near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, with Manila's coast guard accusing Beijing's maritime forces of firing water cannons at government vessels and conducting dangerous maneuvers.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday that a Chinese vessel came within about seven meters of a Philippine fisheries boat, creating what it called a "serious risk of collision." The incident occurred at Scarborough Shoal, which lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and is known locally as Bajo de Masinloc.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported that the PCG said 12 China Coast Guard vessels and three Chinese maritime militia vessels were involved in the incident. Water cannon hit two Philippine ships, while two others had to make dangerous maneuvers, risking collisions, according to the same report. The vessels were delivering fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen and conducting routine patrols at the shoal.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the clashes marked the second consecutive day of confrontation at the shoal, which Beijing calls Huangyan Island and Manila refers to as Panatag Shoal. The SCMP also noted that China has started military drills in the South China Sea that are expected to run until the end of the month.

Earlier on Friday, the China Coast Guard said it had imposed "control measures" on several Philippine vessels it claimed were operating illegally in waters around the shoal. In a more detailed statement, it accused the Philippines of organizing several government and coastguard vessels, along with a large number of fishing vessels, to "illegally gather" in the waters, and said it had taken legal measures.

Key Claims

  • The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 12 China Coast Guard vessels and three Chinese maritime militia vessels were involved in the incident at Scarborough Shoal, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • A Chinese vessel came within about seven meters of a Philippine fisheries boat, creating a "serious risk of collision," according to the PCG as quoted by Al Jazeera.
  • Water cannon hit two Philippine ships, while two others had to make dangerous maneuvers, risking collisions, according to a claim carried by Al Jazeera.
  • The incident occurred at Scarborough Shoal, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, as reported by both Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.
  • China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the coastguard's actions were "reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach," a statement carried by Al Jazeera.
  • China started military drills in the South China Sea, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • A China Coast Guard vessel fired its water cannon at Philippine government boats, a claim carried by both Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.
The Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a statement: "The PCG strongly condemns the dangerous and unprofessional actions of the China Coast Guard." He added that the shoal was a traditional fishing ground of Filipinos, "whose rights cannot be lawfully impeded by any foreign power."

By 9:30am on Friday, 10 Philippine vessels and 15 Chinese ships remained in a stand-off in the area, according to Tarriela's statement as reported by the South China Morning Post.

The confrontations are the latest in a series of disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have rival territorial claims. Beijing has consistently defended its maritime operations as lawful and within its rights, while Manila has repeatedly condemned what it calls unprofessional and dangerous behavior by Chinese maritime forces.