Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Philippines-China water cannon dispute
2. South China Sea tension news
In the latest incident between the Philippines and China in the disputed South China Sea, Manila has accused China’s coastguard of firing water cannon at one of its supply boats near Second Thomas Shoal. The confrontation lasted nearly an hour as the Philippine military sought to resupply sailors aboard the sunken Sierra Madre. This area has been the site of multiple stand-offs in recent months, with China claiming almost the entire South China Sea. The United States, a longtime ally of the Philippines, has expressed its commitment to Manila amidst increasing tensions in the region. The incident highlights the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
China’s Coastguard Fires Water Cannon at Philippine Supply Boat
Over the weekend, tensions between China and the Philippines escalated once again in the disputed South China Sea. Manila has accused China’s coastguard of firing water cannon at one of its supply boats during a confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin in the Philippines.
Location of the Incident
The Second Thomas Shoal is located approximately 200 kilometres from the western Philippine island of Palawan and over 1,000 kilometres from China’s southern Hainan island. This remote and disputed area has been the site of multiple stand-offs between the two countries in recent months.
The incident took place as the Philippine military sought to resupply a small garrison of sailors on board the sunken Sierra Madre, a warship that was run aground in 1999. The troops stationed on the Sierra Madre rely on frequent deliveries of food, water, and other essentials to sustain themselves.
Details of the Confrontation
The confrontation between the Chinese coastguard and the Philippine supply boat, named Unaizah May 4, lasted for nearly an hour. The Philippine military released a video showing a white ship marked China Coast Guard crossing the bow of the grey supply vessel and unleashing its water cannon, causing heavy damage to the Unaizah May 4.
Following the incident, a Philippine Coast Guard escort vessel reached the damaged supply boat to provide assistance to the crew. Gan Yu, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, defended their actions by stating that the Philippine convoy had intruded into the area despite repeated warnings.
International Dispute over the South China Sea
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, asserting its control over the region based on a controversial nine-dash line. However, an international court ruled in 2016 that this claim was without merit. The Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan, also have territorial claims in the area.
Amid escalating tensions, the Philippines has strengthened its military ties with the United States, a long-time ally. The US has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to challenge China’s territorial claims, drawing criticism from Beijing.
Continued Provocations
Just days after a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Philippines, the Chinese coastguard attempted to drive away Filipino scientists who had landed on two cays near Scarborough Shoal. This outcrop in the South China Sea was seized by Beijing from the Philippines in 2012 after a prolonged standoff.
Despite international efforts to resolve disputes in the region peacefully, incidents like the recent water cannon attack highlight the ongoing tensions between China and its neighbours in the South China Sea.