Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over South China Sea flare-up

The Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Bagacay (centre) being hit by water cannon from Chinese coast guard vessels near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. - AFP

MANILA: The Philippines summoned a Chinese diplomat on Thursday (May 2) to protest Beijing's use of water cannon against Filipino vessels at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, describing it as harassment and "dangerous manoeuvres".

Its foreign ministry said the deputy chief of mission was summoned to hear the 20th protest made by the Philippines against China this year, one of 153 under the current administration, over the conduct of its coast guard and fishing vessels that Manila maintains are militia.