South China Sea: Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over water cannon attack
- Manila summoned the number two official at the Chinese embassy to protest Beijing’s use of water cannon against its vessels in the disputed Scarborough Shoal
- China said it took ‘necessary measures’ against Philippine boats that infringed on Beijing’s territory
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“The Philippines protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous manoeuvres, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions of China coastguard and Chinese maritime militia vessels against” Filipino government vessels, it said in a statement.
Manila said it summoned Zhou Zhiyong, the number two official at the Chinese embassy in Manila, over the April 30 incident that damaged a Philippine coastguard (PCG) vessel and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) boat near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal.
“China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to vessels of PCG and BFAR. The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately,” it said, using the Filipino name for the shoal.
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The Philippines said the pressure in Tuesday’s water cannon incident was far more powerful than anything previously used, and that it tore or bent metal sections and equipment on the Philippine vessels.
Thursday’s diplomatic protest was the 20th lodged by Manila this year, and 153rd since President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr came to power in mid-2022, the foreign ministry said.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Manila and Beijing have a long history of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with several collisions involving Philippine and Chinese vessels in recent months, as well as the use of water cannon by the China coastguard.
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Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of damaging its vessel in South China Sea
The latest incident happened near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, which has long been a potential flashpoint, during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen.
On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters the China coastguard took “necessary measures” against Philippine vessels that infringed on Beijing’s territory.
These measures were “in accordance with the law, and the way it handled the situation was professional,” Lin said according to transcripts released by the Chinese embassy in Manila.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
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The South Korean embassy in Manila also expressed concern over the water cannoning incident.
“The embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines is concerned about the recent dangerous manoeuvres and use of water cannons against Philippine vessels around the Scarborough Shoal,” the diplomatic mission said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We reiterate the importance of upholding peace, stability, safety and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, a critical sea lane of communications for all countries that are using it.”
Tuesday’s incident came as the Philippines and the United States held a major annual military exercise that has infuriated Beijing.
