A Philippines maritime task force said in a statement that Chinese boats “harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers” against a Philippine supply mission on Tuesday morning.
The clash, around the South China Sea’s Second Thomas Shoal, resulted in a minor collision to a Philippine coast guard vessel.
Another collision caused minor damage to a Philippines resupply boat, and Chinese boats fired water cannons at the ship, injuring four sailors, according to the Philippine task force.
The supply boat was forced to head back to the Philippines, but another boat made the trip to a World War II-era beached ship on Second Thomas Shoal that the Philippines has used as a base.
But China, which claims nearly the entire South China Sea, considers Manila’s beached ship to be illegal and has frequently clashed with the Philippines in the area.
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the People’s Republic of China carries out these illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening of tensions,” the Philippines task force said in a statement.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the Philippines of intruding into Beijing’s sovereign territory in the Tuesday clash.
“China Coast Guard took necessary measures toward Philippine vessels in accordance with law,” Mao said in a press conference.
In the U.S., Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said China engaged in “dangerous operational behavior.”
“These [Chinese] actions resulted in injuries to Filipino crew members, put lives at risk and demonstrated disregard for international law,” he said.
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