Tensions rise between China and Philippines as ships collide in disputed waters

China’s Coast Guard accused a Philippine vessel of intentionally hitting one of its ships close to Scarborough Shoal, a hotly disputed territory claimed by both countries, on Tuesday, escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

The altercation is the most recent in Beijing and Manila’s string of maritime tensions. The shoal, called Huangyan Island in China, was approached from several directions by more than ten Philippine government ships. According to the Chinese Coast Guard, which was quoted by the Associated Press, Chinese ships retaliated by firing water cannons at the approaching ships.

The conflict occurs just six days after China declared that a portion of Scarborough Shoal would be designated as a national nature reserve.

The article also stated that Manila had already indicated its intention to file a diplomatic complaint over the proclamation at what the Philippines refers to as Bajo de Masinloc, but had not yet responded to the reported accident. In the South China Sea, Scarborough Shoal has long been a bone of contention. China claims almost the whole waterway, while the Philippines and a number of other nations have overlapping territorial claims.

Because the waterways are vital maritime routes, abundant in fishing grounds, and strategically significant, control disputes are very delicate. The Chinese coast guard blamed Manila for the incident in its statement, accusing the Philippines of confrontational and heinous acts.

International attention has been generated by the action, and a number of nations have expressed support for the Philippines. As “yet another coercive effort to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced China’s announcement.

While Canada’s embassy in the Philippines stated, “We oppose attempts to use environmental protection as a way to take control over the disputed Scarborough Shoal,” the United Kingdom and Australia also voiced their concerns on social media.