China-Philippines clash near Scarborough Shoal after reserve move

Ships from China and the Philippines collided near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday, with each side accusing the other of provoking the encounter that followed Beijing's decision last week to designate part of the shoal as a national nature reserve. The incident, which involved more than a dozen government and fisheries vessels, occurred in waters both countries claim in the South China Sea and prompted Manila to lodge a formal diplomatic protest against China.

The China Coast Guard said more than 10 Philippine vessels converged on the shoal, which Beijing calls Huangyan Island, and that one Philippine ship deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard vessel. The service said it implemented "control measures" including verbal warnings, route restrictions and the use of water cannon. Gan Yu, a coast guard spokesperson, said China acted in accordance with the law in responding to what it described as an illegal intrusion.

The Philippine Coast Guard provided a different account. It said two Chinese coast guard ships directed powerful water cannon at the Philippine fisheries vessel BRP Datu Gumbay Piang for nearly 30 minutes, causing significant damage to the bridge and...