A Chinese Coast Guard vessel damaged a Philippine vessel on Tuesday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Both sides quickly accused the other of being responsible for the latest incident in their dispute over the shoal.
In the Chinese Coast Guard’s telling of events, more than 10 Philippine vessels surrounded the shoal, which Beijing refers to as the Huangyan Island. It “implemented regulatory measures against the Philippine vessels, including warnings, route control, and the use of water cannons,” according to Gan Yu, a spokesperson for the service.
Gan claimed that one Philippine vessel “ignoring repeated warnings from China, deliberately rammed a Chinese Coast Guard vessel engaged in normal law enforcement in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.”
A Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson disputed the account, saying that two Chinese vessels directed their water cannons on the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang for nearly half an hour, resulting in one injury.
The water cannons caused “significant damage including shattered glass from the aft window of the bridge, damage to the captain’s cabin partitions, and a short circuit affecting electrical outlets and five outdoor air condition units,” the spokesperson said.
One sailor on board was injured by the shattered glass caused by the water cannon.
A Chinese naval ship also announced via radio broadcast that it would conduct “live fire exercises,” which quickly caused “significant panic and fear among Filipino fishermen in the area.
It’s the latest incident between the countries, which both claim the shoal as a part of their territory. Last month, a Chinese Navy ship collided with a Chinese Coast Guard ship while trying to block a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near the Scarborough Shoal.
The Chinese government approved a proposal last week to create a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration said the reserve would cover more than 3,500 hectares at Huangyan Island.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Beijing’s actions “continue to undermine regional stability,” in response to Beijing’s plan.
WHY CHINA WANTS TO BUILD A NATURE RESERVE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
“Beijing claiming Scarborough Reef as a nature preserve is yet another coercive attempt to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors, including by preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing these traditional fishing grounds,” he said.
Beijing has long claimed control over disputed islands, territories, and inlets in the South China Sea that pose significant strategic value. Several other countries in the Pacific have fought with Beijing over control of those areas.