{"id":122182,"date":"2023-12-10T08:29:24","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T08:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=122182"},"modified":"2023-12-10T08:29:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T08:29:24","slug":"tensions-mount-as-chinese-coastguard-ship-blasts-vessels-with-water-cannon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/world-news\/tensions-mount-as-chinese-coastguard-ship-blasts-vessels-with-water-cannon\/","title":{"rendered":"Tensions mount as Chinese coastguard ship blasts vessels with water cannon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Philippine ships blasted with water cannon by Chinese vessels<\/h3>\n

China ordered a coast guard ship to attack three Philippines boats with a water cannon, as well ramming one of them, in a brutal exchange in the disputed South China Sea. One ship suffered serious engine damage during the confrontation near Second Thomas Shoal, just one day after a similar incident nearby, the Philippine coast guard said.<\/p>\n

The incident occurred as two Philippine navy-operated supply boats and Philippine coast guard escort ships were travelling to deliver food and other supplies to Filipino forces in a long-marooned navy ship which serves as a territorial outpost, coast guard spokesman, Commodore Jay Tarriela said, without providing extra details. However, drone video footage issued by the Philippine coast guard show two Chinese coast guard ships separately blasting water cannons at close range at a Philippine coast guard patrol ship, BRP Cabra, and a smaller supply boat.<\/p>\n

The Chinese coast guard confirmed it had \u201cimplemented controls in accordance with laws and regulations\u201d against two Philippine coast guard vessels, including one official ship and one supply ship which were attempting to transport construction materials to the Second Thomas Shoal. The statement provided no details about the measures taken, but said the Philippines action \u201cseriously infringed on China\u2019s sovereignty.\u201d<\/p>\n

It also accused one Philippine vessel ignored warnings and of violating international navigation regulations by making a sharp turn in an \u201cunprofessional and dangerous manner\u201d and intentionally collided with a Chinese coast guard ship, causing \u201cscratching.” The statement added: \u201cThe responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side\u201d. China’s ships, which have surrounded the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal for years, have blocked Philippine coast guard and supply boats in a years-long effort to take control of the hotly disputed atoll claimed by both nations.<\/p>\n

The hostilities, which have been especially heated this year, have stoked fears of an armed conflict which drag in the United States, which has pledged to defend the Philippines, its treaty ally, if Filipino forces come under armed attack. In Saturday’s confrontation, the Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships likewise trained water cannons at three Philippine fisheries vessels to prevent them from approaching Scarborough Shoal in the disputed waters off the northwestern Philippines.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> China military tipped to move in if UK gives up strategically vital islands<\/strong><\/p>\n

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That assault caused \u201csignificant damage\u201d to the communication and navigation equipment of one of the three Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels, officials said. It was condemned by the Philippines, the United States and Japan.<\/p>\n

Philippine officials added that in addition to the use of water cannons Saturday, suspected militia vessels accompanying Chinese coast guard ships used a long-range acoustic device that could impair hearing, causing \u201csevere temporary discomfort and incapacitation to some Filipino crew.” A Philippine government task force that deals with the territorial disputes said on Saturday: “We demand that the Chinese government take immediate action to halt these aggressive activities and uphold the principles of international law and desist from actions that would infringe on Philippine sovereignty and endanger the lives and livelihood of Filipino fishermen.”<\/p>\n

MaryKay Carlson, the US ambassador to the Philippines condemned China\u2019s \u201caggressive, illegal actions\u201d in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. She said: \u201cThis Chinese behaviour violates international law and endangers lives and livelihood.<\/p>\n

“We stand with our Philippine friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.\u201d In other high seas clashes this year, Chinese coast guard ships used a military-grade laser that caused Filipino crewmen temporary blindness and engaged in dangerous blocking and shadowing manoeuvres that caused minor collisions, Philippines officials say.<\/p>\n

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