| Published June 22, 2025
China’s coast guard drove away a Philippine ship near Scarborough Shoal, escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The Philippine vessel, distributing fuel to fishermen, faced harassment and water cannon attacks. The Philippines, under President Ferdinand Marcos, seeks to counter China’s claims in the region, which is vital for trade and believed to hold significant resources.
Tensions surged once again in the South China Sea after the Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against Philippine vessels operating within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Scarborough Shoal. The June 20 incident marks another escalation in the longstanding maritime dispute, as China continues its aggressive maneuvers to assert control over contested waters—actions that Philippine officials condemn as violations of international law and a direct threat to regional stability.
🛥️ What happened (June 19–20, 2025)
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Scarborough Shoal clash: On June 20, 2025, China’s coast guard reportedly used high‑pressure water cannons to expel a Philippine government vessel (fisheries or patrol) from waters near Scarborough Shoal—something Beijing deems part of its territory—after warning that the ship “insisted” on intruding.
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Philippine reaction: Manila’s coast guard confirmed that four Philippine fishery vessels were delivering supplies to fishermen when Chinese vessels carried out “aggressive manoeuvres,” with at least one ship briefly struck by water cannon.
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Chinese stance: According to China, actions were “professional, lawful and justified,” using standard warnings, monitoring, and water cannon under its Coast Guard Law
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No comment yet: The Philippine government has not formally responded to China’s latest claims.
Context & escalation
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This is part of a recurring pattern in 2024–2025, where the Chinese Coast Guard has repeatedly used water cannons to deter Philippine ships servicing fishermen or carrying supplies to outposts like Scarborough and Second Thomas Shoal
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Similar confrontations in April 2024 and June 2024 involved resupply missions to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese vessels used water cannons and even physical blockades
Why it matters
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Sovereignty & legal claims: Both nations assert authority over strategic shoals within the contested South China Sea—China based on its “nine‑dash line,” and the Philippines under the UN-backed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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Grey‑zone tactics: China’s use of non-lethal force in these incidents exemplifies a deliberate, low-intensity strategy to assert control without sparking major conflict.
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Regional tension spike: Such standoffs continue to heighten tensions, complicating diplomatic and security dynamics in Southeast Asia.
Bottom Line
As China intensifies its assertive tactics in contested waters, including repeated use of water cannons and maritime blockades, the Philippines faces mounting pressure to defend its sovereignty through diplomatic, legal, and security channels. With each confrontation, the risk of miscalculation grows—underscoring the urgent need for clear rules, multilateral engagement, and a united regional response to uphold peace and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
SOURCES: BREITBART – China Attacks Philippine Ship in Philippine Waters with Water Cannon
INQUIRER – Tarriela: Chinese Coast Guard water-cannons BFAR ships in Panatag Shoal
LIVEMINT – China, Philippines Report Encounter in South China Sea
