China’s coast guard used water cannons and dangerous maneuvers to block vessels delivering aid to Filipino fishermen near a disputed reef in the South China Sea on Thursday, the Philippines said.
The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing territorial dispute, with Manila accusing Beijing of aggressive tactics to prevent resupply operations.
The confrontation comes just days after China summoned the Philippine ambassador to protest a violent clash between Chinese coast guard personnel and the Philippine Navy at the Second Thomas Shoal.
Beijing has consistently sought to assert control over the area, while Manila maintains its right to resupply its military presence there.
For markets, the renewed friction adds a layer of geopolitical risk to an already volatile shipping environment.
While Brent crude has stabilized as shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz appear to recede, tensions in the South China Sea could reignite concerns about broader supply chain disruptions.