Chinese Coast Guard Fires Water Cannon at Philippine Vessel

A Chinese coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine government fisheries ship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Thursday, July 23, 2026, marking the second maritime confrontation between the two nations in four days. The incident occurred as foreign ministers from across Southeast Asia, including China's Wang Yi, gathered in Manila for meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese vessel closed to within 50 meters of the Philippine ship BRP Datu Dumangsil and fired its water cannon for two minutes. A second Chinese vessel later executed what Manila described as a "dangerous maneuver," crossing 500 meters in front of a sister Philippine ship, the BRP Datu Paiburong. Philippine officials stated the Chinese actions violated international maritime collision regulations and endangered personnel on what they described as a humanitarian mission to supply fuel to Filipino fishermen in the area. A coast guard spokesperson said the water cannon scored an indirect hit, but neither Philippine vessel was struck directly, and both continued their mission.

China's Coast Guard defended its actions, stating...