Chinese Coast Guard Uses Water Cannons On Philippine Boats In The Disputed South China Sea

Chinese coast guard ships and a Philippine supply boat were involved in conflict recently in the South China Sea close to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. The conflict caused severe damage to the ship as well as injuries to members of the Filipino navy personnel.

Tensions between China and the Philippines are rising due to this incident, which is the most recent in a string of clashes at the shoal.

Japan and the United States quickly conveyed their concern over China’s aggressive measures and urged support for the Philippines. Washington reaffirmed its determination to protect its long-standing treaty ally in Asia, the Philippines, from attacks of any kind, including those that may occur in the South China Sea.

Both countries denounced China’s actions, and the U.S. State Department highlighted the threat created by the Chinese coast guard’s deployment of water cannons and blocking techniques.

Chinese warships encircled and hindered the Philippine vessel Unaizah May 4 while it was travelling to deliver men and supplies to the territorial outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

While one vessel successfully transported the supplies to the outpost, Philippine Coast Guard ships treated the injured crew members and towed the damaged supply boat away despite the blockade.

WATCH | China Coast Guard started blasting water canon directed at Unaizah May 4 around 7:59AM deliberately targeting and hitting the supply boat.#OneAFPOnePHILIPPINES#StrongAFPStrongPHILIPPINES#AFPyoucanTRUST pic.twitter.com/Y0xZdVMshd

— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) March 23, 2024

Video Credits: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Twitter

The incident highlights the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where several countries, including China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, make overlapping claims. A 2016 international arbitration verdict rejected China’s broad claims over the region, but China nonetheless maintains control.

The Chinese Coast Guard justified its actions by claiming that the Philippine vessels had intruded into what it considered China’s territorial waters despite warnings.

Fears of a broader battle have arisen due to China’s claim of dominance in the area, especially if the U.S. is involved as it maintains freedom of navigation in the region.

The battle at Second Thomas Shoal is part of a sequence of comparable events, including an earlier March water cannon attack on the Unaizah May 4. Such encounters continue despite Manila’s diplomatic protestations and international censure, escalating tensions in the area.

In reaction to the most recent incident, the Philippines reaffirmed its determination to uphold its legal claims over its maritime zones, including the Second Thomas Shoal. They rejected China’s “veiled threats or hostility.”

The Philippine government’s task force on territorial issues denounced Beijing’s activities and called for concrete evidence of Beijing’s accountability and reliability.

The conflict highlights the dangers and complexity of the South China Sea disputes since many parties fight to control strategically vital waters. Both regional and international parties are concerned about the possibility of further escalation as diplomatic tensions continue to rise.

Reference: Reuters, CNN

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