China fires water cannons at Philippine boats entering waters near Scarborough Shoal

China’s coastguard says it took ‘legitimate control measures’ against two Philippine fisheries vessels on resupply mission in disputed South China Sea

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In this file photo, a China Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon towards a Philippine fisheries vessel as it approaches the Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Philippine coastguard via AP

Published: 9:44pm, 8 Oct 2024Updated: 6:37pm, 9 Oct 2024

The Chinese coastguard said on Tuesday that it took “control measures” against two Philippines vessels that had “invaded the waters” near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman Liu Dejun said in a statement that two Philippine vessels – 3001 and 3002 – “intentionally intruded into waters near the Scarborough Shoal without the permission of the Chinese government”.

Liu said the CCG “had tracked and monitored the situation throughout and took control measures in accordance with the law” off the waters of Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China.

The coastguard’s operations have been “professional, standardised and legitimate”, he added.

“We urge the Philippine side to immediately cease its infringement actions,” Liu said, adding that China’s coastguard would continue its law enforcement activities “to safeguard rights within China’s jurisdictional waters, resolutely upholding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights”.

It was the latest stand-off between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea where China also has rival claims with Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Tensions between Beijing and Manila have intensified since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr came to power and took a more assertive stance against China.