Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have flared again after a string of fresh skirmishes, with Beijing urging Manila to stop provocations.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources encountered “aggressive actions” from Chinese vessels while on a routine patrol around the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday, coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said in a post on X.

One China Coast Guard vessel deployed water cannon twice on a Philippine government ship and also “intentionally sideswiped” it on its starboard side, according to Tarriela. 

There was another incident on Wednesday where the Philippines’ coast guard and fisheries vessels sailed to Sabina Shoal, another contested area in the South China Sea, following reports that some Filipino fishermen were “subjected to harassment” by Chinese vessels, Alexander Lopez, spokesperson for the National Maritime Council said in a separate briefing.

While on the way there, the Philippine government ships were “subjected to dangerous manoeuvres and intentional ramming” by Chinese boats that damaged the fisheries bureau vessel, Lopez said.

The latest encounters show how tensions between Beijing and Manila have lingered in different spots in the disputed South China Sea, a key trade route that holds huge energy potential. Earlier this week, the Philippines also accused China of using a Navy chopper to harass Filipino fishing boats around Iroquois Reef.

China on Wednesday urged the Philippines to immediately stop its provocation after saying that Manila’s coast guard ships “deliberately collided” with its vessels, according to a CCTV report that cited China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun.

Liu said in a separate statement that China implemented control measure after Philippine ships “dangerously approached” its patrol vessels.

  - Bloomberg