A new clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed waters has prompted fresh accusations between the two countries.
The incident happened near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed South China Sea reef, located 240 kilometers from the main Philippine island of Luzon and several hundred kilometers away from mainland China.
The China Coast Guard maintains a regular presence in the area, often overseeing underwater geomapping operations.
On Thursday, the Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of firing water cannons and using a “dangerous maneuver” to block vessels from helping Filipino fishermen. Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea despite international law not recognizing these claims, accused Philippine vessels of “intruding” into its “jurisdictional waters.”
This was the second incident involving the two Asian neighbors in four days. On Monday, the Philippine military accused the China Coast Guard of hitting a Filipino sailor with a baton near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. China said the Philippines had instigated the incident near a grounded vessel that has long served as a Philippine military outpost.
The repeated confrontations demonstrate a growing pattern of maritime friction between China and the Philippines. Although the incidents have remained below the threshold of armed conflict, the increasing frequency of encounters raises the risk of accidental escalation.
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