The coastguard used water cannons and other “control measures” against the Philippine vessels it said were conducting “illegal activities” in the area.
Manila cries foul over Beijing’s nature reserve plan in South China Sea
Manila cries foul over Beijing’s nature reserve plan in South China Sea
“The China Coast Guard, acting in accordance with the law, took control measures against multiple Philippine government vessels engaged in illegal activities within the territorial waters of Huangyan Island,” the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
Coastguard spokesman Gan Yu said in a separate statement that the Chinese had warned the Philippine ships, restricted their navigation and used water cannons in the incident.
“More than 10” Philippine government vessels had illegally entered China’s territorial waters around Huangyan Island from multiple directions, according to Gan.
He said one Philippine ship had ignored warnings and deliberately collided with a Chinese coastguard vessel, calling it an “unprofessional and dangerous” act, without elaborating.
