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yesterday

Philippines Condemns China's Use of Water Cannon and Collision in South China Sea

A Chinese coast guard vessel sideswiped and water-cannoned a Philippine research ship near Sandy Cay, marking a dangerous escalation in the disputed waters.

Image
Image
This screen capture shows a Chinese coast guard ship cutting across the bow of a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel and deploying its water cannon near Sandy Cay, a disputed feature in the South China Sea.

Overview

  • The Chinese coast guard fired water cannon and sideswiped the Philippine vessel BRP Datu Sanday during a sand-sampling mission near Sandy Cay on May 21, 2025.
  • This is the first reported use of water cannon by China against Philippine vessels in the Sandy Cay area, escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
  • The Philippines condemned the incident as an aggressive and dangerous act that damaged the ship and endangered civilian researchers onboard.
  • China defended its actions, claiming the Philippine vessels illegally entered its waters and approached its ship dangerously, while the Philippines maintains the area is within its territorial waters.
  • The U.S. reaffirmed its support for the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty, warning that China's actions threaten regional stability and international law.