Philippines and China clash at Scarborough Shoal as US and Chinese ministers meet in Manila
Manila accuses Beijing of dangerous manoeuvres near disputed shoal, while Washington reaffirms defence treaty obligations as regional ministers convene.
Tensions between the Philippines and China have intensified following accusations that the China Coast Guard fired water cannons at Philippine vessels near the Scarborough Shoal for a second consecutive day. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 12 Chinese coast guard vessels and three maritime militia ships were involved in the incident, which occurred within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
According to a statement from the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese vessel came within approximately seven metres of a Philippine fisheries boat, creating what officials described as a serious risk of collision. Spokesperson Jay Tarriela condemned the actions as dangerous and unprofessional, noting that two Philippine ships were struck by water cannons while two others were forced to perform dangerous manoeuvres to avoid impact.
The vessels were engaged in routine patrols and delivering fuel subsidies to Filipino fishermen at the Scarborough Shoal, also known locally as Bajo de Masinloc. Tarriela asserted that the area is a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos and that their rights cannot be lawfully impeded by any foreign power.
Beijing defended its actions as reasonable, lawful, and beyond reproach. The China Coast Guard stated it had imposed control measures against what it described as illegal gatherings of Philippine government and fishing vessels. A detailed statement from Beijing accused Manila of organising vessels to illegally gather in the waters and claimed that Philippine ships ignored warnings before intruding. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian urged the Philippines to immediately stop what it termed infringement, provocation, and hype.
The confrontations follow a separate incident on Monday at the Second Thomas Shoal, 650 kilometres away, where Manila reported a Filipino sailor was injured. The escalating tensions coincided with regional meetings in Manila attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio described Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea as disturbing and reaffirmed United States support for the Philippines under their mutual defence treaty.
