Tensions flare as Chinese and Philippine ships collide near disputed shoal in South China Sea

BEIJING AP China s coast guard accused a Philippine ship of deliberately ramming one of its vessels on Tuesday near Scarborough Shoal a disputed territory that both countries claim in the South China Sea The Philippines denied it saying China s forces used powerful water cannons that damaged its ship and injured a crew member A Chinese coast guard declaration announced more than Philippine establishment ships coming from various directions entered the waters around the shoal which is called Huangyan island in Chinese It commented it deployed water cannons against the vessels The encounter came six days after China publicized it was designating part of Scarborough Shoal as a national nature reserve The Philippine ruling body which calls the shoal Bajo de Masinloc filed a diplomatic protest China and the Philippines have clashed repeatedly around outcroppings in the South China Sea which China maintains almost in its entirety The two countries are among several that have competing indicates to territory in the waters which are of strategic importance and home to valuable fishing grounds The Philippine coast guard reported two Chinese coast guard ships hit a Filipino fisheries vessel the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang with powerful water cannons for nearly minutes resulting in important damage including in the captain s cabin and the bridge A glass window was shattered and injured a personnel while the deluge of water caused a short circuit that affected electrical outlets and five outdoor air-conditioning units it reported A Chinese navy warship also broadcast a radio notice announcing live-fire exercises at the shoal which caused panic among Filipino fishermen reported the Philippine coast guard The Philippine coast guard and fisheries ships were deployed to the shoal on Tuesday to provide fuel water ice and other aid to more than fishing boats in the area Several friendly countries have backed the Philippines on the nature reserve A declaration from U S Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Chinese action yet another coercive move to advance sweeping territorial and maritime asserts in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors The U K and Australia also expressed concern and the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines declared it opposed attempts to use environmental protection as a way to take control over the disputed Scarborough Shoal Source