China has defended the latest incident, accusing the US of an attack on its maritime rights. The Philippines has the opposite opinion.
A Chinese coast guard vessel fired water onto a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on Saturday. It was with another ship delivering supplies to Filipino soldiers on the disputed atoll.
The video shows one of the Filipino ships changing course after the incident. The incident has further heightened tensions in the disputed sea area.
China considers almost the entire South China Sea to be part of its territory.
The United States, Australia, Japan, Germany and Canada are condemning the case
Although it is a water cannon, the United States interprets that China has used armed force against the Philippine vessel. Australia, Japan and Germany also condemned the behavior of the Chinese ship. According to the Canadian Embassy in Manila, the actions of the Chinese were provocative and dangerous.
According to the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the confrontation with the Philippine vessel was lawful and controlled. Instead, China signaled that the US is acting brazenly because it supports the Philippines, which it says violates Chinese sovereignty in the region.
The South China Sea is a sensitive area, as China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines have different views on where the borders lie.
Rusty warship annoys China
Saturday’s incident involves the Ayang Basin, which is effectively occupied militarily by the Philippines. In the atolls there is a rusted navy transport ship, which is considered a base by a group of Filipino soldiers.
China has demanded that the Philippines move the ship away from the atolls. The Philippines responded to the demand by saying that the country will never abandon it.
– We will continue to bring food and other equipment to the ship as long as it is needed, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press conference.
The Philippines summoned the Chinese ambassador for an interview regarding the case.
China has fired water cannons at boats supplying food and water to the ship for the last time in November 2021.
No one was injured in the latest incident, but one of the two replenishment ships failed in its mission.
Sources: AFP, Reuters