Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated following a third clash between China and the Philippines this week. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese ships fired water cannons at government vessels near a disputed shoal for a second consecutive day.
The confrontation involved 12 China Coast Guard vessels and three Chinese maritime militia vessels. Powerful water cannons were specifically fired at two Philippine fisheries vessels.
China's Coast Guard stated that it imposed control measures on several Philippine vessels operating illegally around the Scarborough Shoal. These incidents have occurred despite a meeting between the top diplomats of the two nations.