Chinese Vessel Uses Water Cannon Against Philippine Ships in Dispute

WHO:

CNN - Chinese Coast Guard, Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, CNN crew, Philippine military, US State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

ABC News World - Chinese coast guard ships, Philippine fisheries vessels.

WHAT:

CNN - Chinese ships fired water cannon at Philippine vessels, including one carrying a CNN crew.

CNN - The Philippine ships canceled their mission and returned to port due to a developing typhoon.

CNN - The Philippine Coast Guard reported that its vessels were subjected to water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers by the China Coast Guard.

CNN - A Chinese ship came within seven meters (about 23 feet) of the Philippine vessel carrying the CNN crew.

CNN - There were 15 Chinese vessels involved, including those from the Coast Guard and maritime militia.

CNN - The Philippines had 10 ships, three from its coast guard, and a small government propeller plane was also involved.

CNN - Two Philippine service members were injured during a previous clash with Chinese troops.

WHERE:

CNN - The incidents occurred near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, 140 miles (220 kilometers) west of Luzon, Philippines.

CNN - The Philippine military maintains a small contingent on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Island chain.

WHEN:

CNN - The water cannon incident occurred on a Friday.

CNN - The Philippine military reported a clash on a Monday.

CNN - A second confrontation occurred on a Thursday.

WHY:

CNN - The Chinese Coast Guard claimed to take enforcement measures against Philippine vessels engaged in illegal activities in waters under China's jurisdiction.

CNN - The South China Sea is a contested area with multiple countries claiming sovereignty, leading to rising tensions.

HOW:

CNN - The Chinese Coast Guard warned the Philippine vessels over a megaphone to leave immediately, threatening firm action.

CNN - Chinese ships used water cannons and dangerous navigational techniques to block Philippine vessels.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 09:42 UTC)

In a tense confrontation near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels, including one carrying a CNN crew, prompting the Philippine ships to cancel their mission and return to port due to a developing typhoon. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that its vessels faced aggressive maneuvers from 15 Chinese ships, which included both the Coast Guard and maritime militia, with one Chinese vessel coming alarmingly close—just seven meters—to the CNN crew's ship. The situation escalated as the Chinese Coast Guard claimed they were enforcing measures against what they deemed illegal activities by the Philippine vessels in waters they assert are under China's jurisdiction.