Philippine vessels faced 'blocking, shadowing and dangerous maneuvers' from Chinese navy and coast guard ships, the Philippines said

China has blocked four Philippine vessels that attempted to "intrude into the territorial waters" of the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday, the country's coastguard said. "On December 4, four Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels attempted to intrude into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Island and came dangerously close to the normal law enforcement and inspection vessels of China's coastguard,

The Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of firing water cannons and “sideswiping” a Philippine government vessel on 4 December during a maritime patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, escalating regional tensions.