Overview

• On Sept. 16, Chinese coast guard ships blasted the Philippine fisheries vessel BRP Datu Gumbay Piang with water cannons for about 30 minutes, damaging the bridge and injuring a crew member, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
• A nearby Chinese navy frigate broadcast coordinates for a prompt live‑fire exercise east of the shoal, which Philippine officials said caused panic among fishermen; no live‑fire event ultimately occurred.
• Beijing accused a Philippine ship of deliberately ramming a Chinese vessel, a claim Manila denied as it released images and details of water‑cannon damage and the injury.
• The confrontation occurred during a government ‘Kadiwa’ mission to resupply and support Filipino fishermen near the shoal, with officials saying most vessels completed the run.
• The clash followed China’s Sept. 10 designation of a national nature reserve at the shoal, which drew a Philippine diplomatic protest and condemnations from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.