Philippines Accuses China of Firing Water Cannons at Its Vessels

The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China of firing water cannons at its vessels and blocking them in the South China Sea. This was reported by the BBC.

The statement notes that the incident occurred while a ship was escorting a supply vessel carrying Philippine soldiers to a disputed island in the Spratly archipelago.

The United States condemned Beijing's "dangerous actions" and also placed blame on the Chinese "Coast Guard" for the incident.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines. There are also competing claims from Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan. The South China Sea is currently one of the world’s hottest flashpoints, particularly amid the recent escalation of tensions between the US and China.

Trade worth $5 trillion annually passes through these waterways, raising concerns that Beijing's growing presence could restrict trade.