The Philippines has leveled accusations against China, claiming that Chinese vessels used water cannons to impede three of its ships in the latest territorial conflict in the South China Sea.

Video footage depicts Chinese ships directing forceful water blasts at Philippine government vessels.

The Philippines has denounced China's actions as "illegal and aggressive." The South China Sea is a focal point of territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, and other nations.

The incident transpired near Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area between the two countries. Beijing seized the shoal in 2012, and since then, Chinese vessels have harassed Philippine fishermen in the region.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea stated that "Chinese Coast Guard ships utilized water cannons to obstruct" government vessels delivering fuel and food supplies to fishing boats, vehemently condemning the deemed illegal and aggressive actions.

China, in response, asserted the use of what it termed "control measures" on ships intruding into its waters. Earlier in the week, the Philippines accused China of "swarming" a reef off its coast, citing the presence of over 135 military boats in the South China Sea.

Plans are underway for the Philippines to send a Christmas convoy of approximately 40 boats on Sunday to distribute gifts and provisions to inhabitants on Thitu island, the largest Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated over conflicting sovereignty claims, particularly since Ferdinand Marcos Jr assumed the presidency last year.

Last month, the Philippines carried out two separate joint air and sea patrols with the US, and with Australia a few days earlier.

An international tribunal invalidated China's claim to 90% of the South China Sea in 2016, but Beijing does not recognise the ruling and has been building islands in the disputed waters in recent years.

The contested waters have also become a naval flashpoint for China-US relations, and in October, US President Joe Biden warned that the US will defend the Philippines in case of any attack.

President Biden's comments were made days after two collisions between Filipino and Chinese vessels in the waters.

Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei also claim parts of the sea.

Noted