The Philippines accused a Chinese Coast Guard ship of firing water cannons at a Philippine vessel, while a Chinese naval vessel performed 'dangerous' maneuvers near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (referred to by the Philippines as Panatag Shoal) in the South China Sea.
According to Bloomberg, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Tarriela stated on the social media platform X that Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels were conducting routine patrols near Scarborough Shoal on the 4th when they encountered 'aggressive actions' from a Chinese Coast Guard ship.
Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun issued a statement saying that Philippine Coast Guard vessels 9701 and 4409, along with public vessels 3002 and 3003, attempted to intrude into the territorial waters of Scarborough Shoal and dangerously approached the Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement vessels. China implemented control measures according to laws and regulations.
This Wednesday's dispute indicates that tensions between China and the Philippines persist in various locations within the contested maritime area. Two days earlier, the Philippines accused a Chinese naval helicopter of harassing a Philippine fishing vessel in disputed waters, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry countered by stating that the Philippine claims were completely inconsistent with the facts. China reiterated its indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and their adjacent waters, asserting that its law enforcement activities in the relevant maritime areas are legitimate and lawful.