Chinese ships use water cannons against Philippine vessel

Chinese Coast Guard ships used water cannons against a vessel belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines near Escoda Shoal, a disputed area in the region.

Footage released by a local TV channel shows Chinese ships aggressively pursuing the Philippine vessel, maneuvering dangerously close, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

At one point, a Chinese ship deployed a water cannon, forcing the Philippine crew to seek shelter inside the deckhouse. No injuries were reported in the incident.

This confrontation is the latest in a series of tense encounters between the two countries in the South China Sea.

Recently, there has been an uptick in incidents, with Chinese Coast Guard boats attempting to push Philippine vessels out of the disputed waters. Clashes have also been reported in other contested areas such as Ayungin Shoal and Scarborough Reef, where Chinese ships frequently use water cannons against Philippine boats.