The China Coast Guard reported on the 16th that it used water cannons against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China) in the South China Sea. The Philippines condemned the action, accusing China of "illegal" intrusion and ramming into one of its ships.

Conflicting Narratives

A China Coast Guard spokesperson claimed that more than ten Philippine ships were involved and had "illegally intruded into Chinese territorial waters around Huangyan Island from various directions." The statement further alleged that a Philippine Coast Guard vessel "ignored strict warnings from the Chinese side and intentionally rammed into a China Coast Guard ship," justifying their actions as "lawful control measures."

Philippine Denial and Counterclaims

In strong rebuttal, a spokesperson for the Philippine Maritime Council labeled the Chinese statement "untrue," calling it "another case of Chinese disinformation and propaganda." The Philippine Coast Guard accused China of harassing its vessel, which was on a humanitarian mission to support fishermen. They stated that while replenishing supplies to over 35 Filipino fishing boats near the shoal, they encountered "aggressive actions" from nine Chinese ships, though they did not explicitly mention the use of water cannons.