Beijing has employed a two-pronged attack in its latest South China Sea confrontation: overwhelming force followed by claims of victimhood. On Tuesday, Chinese ships used water cannons on a Philippine fleet near Scarborough Shoal before accusing a Philippine vessel of a “deliberate ramming” after a collision.
The incident saw over ten Philippine government ships approach the contested feature. According to the Chinese Coast Guard, its vessels acted to block this advance, resulting in the use of water cannons. The subsequent collision has been framed by Beijing as an act of aggression by Manila, which it holds fully accountable.
This clash is the latest development in a saga that intensified last week when China declared part of the shoal a national nature reserve. This was seen by Manila as a cynical attempt to annex territory it calls Bajo de Masinloc. The Philippines had planned to formally protest this move before the situation escalated at sea.
The Scarborough Shoal is a strategic chokepoint and a source of constant friction in the South China Sea. The disputes there are a primary threat to regional stability, driven by China’s assertion of “historic rights” over a vast maritime area, a claim that clashes with international law.
Several Western nations have rallied to support the Philippines. A US senator condemned China’s “coercive” strategy to advance its territorial claims. The UK and Australia have also expressed their alarm. In a direct critique, Canada’s diplomatic mission in the Philippines opposed any attempt to use environmental protection as a justification for controlling disputed areas.