Chinese Coast Guard vessel 'threatens Filipino ship with water cannon' amid South China Sea dispute

A China Coast Guard ship allegedly threatened to blast water at a Philippine vessel that was on a resupply mission in a disputed part of the South China Sea.

Footage shows China Coast Guard 5205 appearing to aim its water cannon at the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Cape Engano that was delivering supplies to another Philippine ship on patrol in Escoda Shoal, just 75 nautical miles off the Philippine island of Palawan, on August 26.

The PCG said in a statement on August 26: 'Today, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) undertook a humanitarian mission involving the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño, aimed at delivering vital food and supplies to our personnel stationed aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanua, on extended patrol in Escoda Shoal.

'Unfortunately, during this mission, the People's Republic of China (PRC) deployed an excessive force comprised of a total of forty (40) vessels including six (6) Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, three (3) People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, in an attempt to obstruct our lawful humanitarian operation. There were also thirty-one (31) Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) Vessels in the vicinity waters of Escoda Shoal.'

The PCG added that the resupply mission was not completed, and its ships returned to Buliluyan Port on Palawan island. It also urged the China Coast Guard to 'abide with the international law and stop deploying maritime forces that could undermine mutual respect' among coast guards.

The incident comes just a day after another PCG ship, the BRP Datu Sanday, was rammed and blasted with a water cannon in Escoda Shoal on August 25.

Philippines authorities said the BFAR ship was distributing diesel, food, and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen when the Chinese Coast Guard encircled and blocked it, causing an engine failure.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.