Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels near the contested Scarborough Shoal on Friday.

Chinese coast guard ships fired powerful water cannons at Philippine vessels near the Scarborough Shoal on Friday, marking the third maritime confrontation this week. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese ship approached the government fisheries vessel BRP Datux Paduhinog within seven meters, creating a serious risk of collision. While the Philippines condemned the "dangerous and unprofessional" maneuvers, Beijing defended its actions as "reasonable, lawful and beyond reproach." The dispute over the shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, remains a primary geopolitical hotspot in the South China Sea. The Philippines maintains that the area is an integral part of its territory, while China has effectively controlled the shoal since 2012. The administration has repeatedly criticized China’s assertive maritime actions as it clashes with the Philippines, a key U.S. treaty ally. During recent ASEAN ministerial meetings in Manila, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need to manage these disputes carefully to avoid a dramatic global economic impact.

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