Chinese ship shoots water cannon at Philippine vessel with CNN crew on board near flashpoint shoal

Chinese Ship Shoots Water Cannon at Philippine Vessel Near Scarborough Shoal

Earthguardiansonline.com – A Chinese ship shoots water cannon at a Philippine vessel carrying CNN journalists on Friday, marking the third maritime confrontation in just one week. The incident occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a strategically important sandbar in the South China Sea that has become increasingly volatile. Chinese maritime forces deployed their water cannons against Philippine ships operating in the area, with one of the targeted vessels transporting international news crews.

Strategic Importance of the Shoal

Scarborough Shoal may seem like an ordinary rock formation, but its geopolitical significance is substantial. The area contains valuable fishing grounds within its lagoon and surrounding waters. More importantly, it lies along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, handling roughly one-third of global maritime trade annually. This economic corridor, combined with the U.S.-Philippines mutual defense pact and Beijing’s territorial ambitions, creates an environment where minor incidents could escalate quickly.

CNN obtained access to a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship conducting fuel deliveries for local fishermen near the disputed shoal. As Philippine vessels approached on Friday, several large China Coast Guard ships positioned themselves nearby, enabling the news team to clearly see Chinese crew members aboard.

The Confrontation

Chinese authorities issued warnings through a megaphone, telling Philippine vessels to depart immediately or face legal action. A Chinese ship then began circling the Philippine vessel while its water cannon repeatedly hit the hull.

The Philippine Coast Guard later stated that its ships “had been subjected to a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers by China Coast Guard.” According to their evaluation, one Chinese vessel came within seven meters—about 23 feet—of the Philippine ship carrying CNN’s crew, creating what they called a “serious risk of collision.”

After the confrontation, Philippine ships chose to cancel their mission and return to port due to an approaching typhoon. Tensions eased once the Philippine vessels began leaving, though Chinese Coast Guard ships remained visible for hours, continuing to follow the Philippine fleet.

Incident Details and Responses

Philippine officials identified 15 Chinese vessels involved in the incident, including Coast Guard ships and what they called the “maritime militia.” The Philippines deployed 10 ships, three of which were coast guard vessels. A small Philippine government propeller aircraft also flew overhead throughout the mission.

China’s state broadcaster reported that its coast guard “took enforcement measures on Friday in accordance with the law against several Philippine vessels engaged in illegal activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction around Huangyan Island”—the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal. When CNN’s Mike Valerio asked about the incident, Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described China’s response as “legitimate and lawful for China to take necessary measures to uphold its rights and security, which is professional, standard, and beyond reproach.”

Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines, sits 140 miles (220 kilometers) west of Luzon and approximately 530 miles from China’s Hainan province. China, the Philippines, and Taiwan all claim sovereignty over the shoal, with Beijing maintaining effective control since 2012 through a nearly continuous coast guard presence.

This Scarborough Shoal incident followed an earlier clash at Second Thomas Shoal, another contested rocky outcrop in the Spratly Island chain. The Philippines maintains a military presence aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel grounded at the shoal since 1999. On Monday, Philippine military officials reported that a China Coast Guard ship sent a smaller boat toward the Sierra Madre, prompting the Philippines to deploy two rigid-hulled inflatable boats to escort the Chinese vessel away. Video footage captured by Philippine forces showed eight Chinese personnel in a boat ramming one of the smaller Philippine craft, with what appeared to be a water cannon mounted on the Chinese vessel.