Chinese Coast Guard rams Philippine vessel in South China Sea

On October 12, Chinese coast guard ships used high-pressure water cannons and rammed a Philippine vessel anchored near Thitu Island in the South China Sea, slightly damaging it amid rising regional tensions.

A Chinese coast guard vessel with hull number 21559 fired a water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya before ramming the stern of a nearby fishing boat shortly before sunset, according to the Associated Press, which cited a briefing by Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela.

No injuries were reported among the crew.

The confrontation occurred near Thitu Island—occupied by the Philippines and claimed by China—during another flare-up in the long-running territorial disputes involving Manila, Beijing, and several other countries in the region. Two additional Philippine fishing boats were also targeted by water cannon fire about three kilometres from the island, though no one was hurt.

China’s coast guard accused the Philippine vessels of “illegally entering Chinese waters” near the group of sandbars known as Sandy Cay, located between Thitu and China’s artificial island base on Subi Reef. Beijing said the Filipino boats “ignored repeated stern warnings.”

The United States condemned what it described as China’s “aggressive actions in violation of international law” and reaffirmed its support for the Philippines under their mutual defence treaty. U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson praised the Filipino fishermen for their “great courage and skill in the face of a dangerous ramming.”

By Khagan Isayev