The Philippines has summoned a diplomat from the Chinese embassy. The move comes after a new incident involving ships from the two countries.
Chinese coast guards blocked a supply ship and damaged it using water cannons, injuring three soldiers. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the coasts of several neighboring countries, despite an international court ruling in 2016. The Chinese embassy in Manila said it had sent a “solemn” protest to the Philippines after this clash. In recent months, Chinese ships have already used water cannons and collided with Philippine ships near this atoll.