Dispute over Scarborough Shoal

China's coast guard has accused a Philippine ship of deliberately ramming one of its vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, a contested area in the South China Sea. This incident involved more than 10 Philippine government ships entering the waters around the shoal, prompting the Chinese coast guard to deploy water cannons.

Background

• The Scarborough Shoal is a disputed territory claimed by both China and the Philippines.
• China refers to the area as Huangyan Island, while the Philippines calls it Bajo de Masinloc.

Recent Developments

• China announced the designation of part of the Scarborough Shoal as a national nature reserve.
• The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against this designation.

Statements and International Reactions

• The Chinese coast guard labeled the Philippine actions as provocative and egregious.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized China's move as coercive.
• Great Britain and Australia expressed concern via social media.
• The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines opposed using environmental protection as a pretext for territorial control.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, which is strategically significant and rich in fishing resources, with several countries holding competing territorial claims.