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Manila says China’s coast guard fired water cannon at Philippine ships within the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippines has accused the Chinese language coast guard of utilizing water cannons to “impede” three authorities boats finishing up their common provide mission close to an offshore reef within the South China Sea.
Saturday’s incident passed off close to the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by each international locations and which Beijing seized from Manila in 2012 after a months-long standoff. The islands are situated roughly 220 km off the coast of the Philippines and fall inside the unique financial zone (EEZ), based on worldwide maritime legislation.
Movies launched by the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed Chinese language Coast Guard vessels hitting the ships with highly effective water blasts.
The Philippine South China Sea Process Drive, an interagency authorities company, stated in an announcement that the water cannon had been used no less than eight occasions on Saturday, and accused the Chinese language coast guard of “straight and intentionally” attacking the ships.
Three fisheries bureau boats have been on a provide mission to ship oil and groceries to greater than 30 Philippine fishing vessels close to the Scarborough Shoal.
“Stopping the distribution of humanitarian help shouldn’t be solely unlawful but in addition inhumane,” the duty pressure stated, calling on China to cease its “aggressive actions.”
One other video reveals the Chinese language Coast Guard firing a water cannon at a Philippine authorities ship close to the Scarborough Shoal. This occurred a number of occasions in the present day for a number of hours. pic.twitter.com/H1bI1jBMj1
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) December 9, 2023
Ships of the Chinese language Maritime Militia additionally reportedly carried out “harmful maneuvers” and deployed a long-range acoustic gadget that resulted in short-term discomfort and incapacitation for some Filipino crew members, the duty pressure added.
Based on Chinese language state media, Beijing stated it had taken “management measures” towards the three ships within the South China Sea that it stated had entered waters close to Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippines and China have a protracted historical past of maritime incidents within the disputed South China Sea, by which greater than $3 trillion in delivery commerce passes yearly.
China claims virtually the whole South China Sea, together with elements claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. However the Everlasting Courtroom of Arbitration in The Hague stated in 2016 that China’s claims had no authorized foundation.
Philippines accuses China of attacking fishing boats within the South China Sea | South China Sea Information
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