There have been multiple other incidents in the last six months between Chinese and Philippines vessels.
In April, Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon at two Philippine patrol vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, another hotly disputed area where tensions have flared on and off. Philippine officials say water cannons could damage their ships’ engines, or even capsize the smaller vessels. China called its move a “necessary measure,” accusing the Philippines of violating China’s sovereignty. China also re-installed a floating barrier across the entrance to the shoal’s vast fishing lagoon.
Also that month, a Chinese coast guard ship blocked a Philippine patrol vessel near Second Thomas Shoal, causing a near-collision.
Before the incident, a Chinese naval vessel had shadowed two Philippine patrol boats as they cruised near Subi, one of seven barren reefs in the Spratly Islands that China has transformed in the last decade into a missile-protected island military outpost. Subi is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
Incidents often take place during Philippine resupply missions to a garrison of Filipino troops on a grounded navy vessel, the Sierra Madre, aimed at asserting Manila’s claims to the reef.
AREA 200KM from PHILIPPINES, 1000+KM FROM CHINA
The shoal lies about 200 kilometres from the western Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometres from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan Island.
The United States, an ally of Manila, voiced concern over China’s actions.
US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a post on social media that Washington “condemns” China’s “aggressive dangerous manoeuvres which caused bodily injury, damaged Philippine vessels and hindered lawful maritime operations.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby later told reporters in Washington that China’s behaviour was “provocative” and could spark larger conflicts.
“It’s reckless and unnecessary, and it could lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to something much bigger and much more violent,” Kirby said.
A State Department spokesman meanwhile called the actions “escalatory” and noted that a US-Philippines defence treaty includes “armed attacks” on its Coast Guard “anywhere in the South China Sea.
