Watch the video: China’s coast guard fires at a Philippine boat with a water cannon.
The Chinese Coast Guard on Tuesday released images of an incident that had sparked significant tensions between China and the Philippines. The video shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship firing a water cannon at a boat from the Philippines. It looks like the boat will not be hit. The Chinese Coast Guard described Saturday’s action as a warning. And added that she has exercised sensible restraint at all times. China accused the Philippine boats of “illegally” entering Chinese territorial waters. The Philippines had previously spoken of a dangerous and illegal use of water cannons. The Philippine Coast Guard escorted boats carrying food, water, fuel and other supplies to a Philippine Navy base in the South China Sea. The US State Department said China’s actions directly endangered peace and stability in the region. China claims practically the entire South China Sea for itself. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of the sea area, which is of enormous strategic and economic importance for the neighboring countries. Chinese Coast Guard and Navy boats regularly pursue or block Philippine ships in the region, according to the government in Manila.