China, Philippines vessels clash near disputed shoal

China's Coast Guard fired water cannon yesterday at Philippine ships near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, accusing Manila of an "illegal" intrusion and the ramming of one of its vessels.

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The confrontation comes a week after China approved plans to turn the shoal into a national nature reserve, a move that defence analysts have warned would test Manila's response over the 150-square-kilometre triangular chain of reefs and rocks.

Simmering tension over the shoal has led to diplomatic rows in recent years, but no incidents have escalated into armed conflict at the site.

Both sides accuse each other of provocations and trespassing in incidents featuring use of water cannon, boat-ramming and manoeuvres by China's Coast Guard the Philippines regards as dangerously close, as well as jets shadowing Philippine aircraft there.