In the video released by state broadcaster CCTV on Friday morning, the Chinese coastguard documented a tense six-minute confrontation at the Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Renai Jiao. The incident ended with the “infringing vessel being towed away”, according to the Chinese coastguard.
It was the first time Beijing has mentioned towing Philippine ships while describing its clashes with Manila in the contested waterway. While confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coastguard vessels and fishing boats in the South China Sea are common, Chinese authorities described previous incidents as involving “control measures according to law”.
According to the new footage, a battle alarm sounded early on a summer morning – though the year and date are not specified – and Chinese coastguard vessel 21551 received orders to intercept and prevent a foreign ship from entering waters near the Second Thomas Shoal.
The video shows unidentified personnel splashing an unknown liquid and brandishing what appears to be an M16 rifle. A voice is heard shouting, “They’re splashing something! They’ve taken out a gun, there’s a gun, there’s a gun!” Chinese coastguard personnel stood their ground, with one officer yelling back, “Come at me!”
A Chinese officer interviewed in the video reflected on the danger, saying, “The gun was fully loaded … whoever is afraid of death will lose”.
