South China Sea: Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over water cannon attack

Manila summoned the number two official at the Chinese embassy to protest Beijing’s use of water cannon against its vessels in the disputed Scarborough Shoal

China said it took ‘necessary measures’ against Philippine boats that infringed on Beijing’s territory

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A Philippine coastguard vessel is hit by water cannons from Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on April 30. Photo: PCG via AP

Published: 12:52pm, 2 May 2024Updated: 3:01pm, 2 May 2024

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it summoned a senior Chinese embassy official over the “harassment of Philippine vessels” in the South China Sea.

“The Philippines protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous manoeuvres, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions of China coastguard and Chinese maritime militia vessels against” Filipino government vessels, it said in a statement.

Manila said it summoned Zhou Zhiyong, the number two official at the Chinese embassy in Manila, over the April 30 incident that damaged a Philippine coastguard (PCG) vessel and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) boat near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal.

“China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to vessels of PCG and BFAR. The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately,” it said, using the Filipino name for the shoal.

The Philippines said the pressure in Tuesday’s water cannon incident was far more powerful than anything previously used, and that it tore or bent metal sections and equipment on the Philippine vessels.