Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over water cannon incident in disputed South China Sea

The Philippine government announced today, Monday, that it has summoned the Chinese ambassador to Manila, Huang Shilian, to protest against the use of water cannons by the Chinese coast guard against Philippine ships near the island of Eunjin Shoal, which is disputed with Beijing in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it had "strongly requested" China to stop its ships from committing "an illegal act against Philippine ships, and to stop interfering with legitimate Philippine activities," according to the Philippine newspaper, The Manila Time."

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs also urged China to comply with its obligations under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitration award in the South China Sea.

Yesterday, Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons against Philippine ships near the disputed island of Ionjin Shoal with Beijing in the South China Sea.

"The Philippine Coast Guard strongly condemns the dangerous maneuvers of the Chinese Coast Guard and the illegal use of water cannons against Philippine Coast Guard vessels escorting indigenous boats chartered by the forces," said Jay Tarriela, spokesman for the Philippine Western Fleet, in a statement posted on Twitter.