On October 19, the Philippine military chief said he had ordered the suspension of military exchanges with China over Beijing’s water cannon actions in the South China Sea. Earlier, the Philippine Foreign Ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador in Manila to protest the issue.
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| A Chinese Coast Guard vessel sprays a water cannon at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in disputed waters in the South China Sea on August 5, 2023. (Source: PCG/AP) |
Speaking at a press conference on October 19 in Manila, Philippine Army Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said he had ordered the suspension of military exchanges with China in August after the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannons at two Philippine military transport ships and two Philippine Coast Guard ships in waters near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Manila asserted that the incident occurred within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Two days after the incident, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo summoned the Chinese ambassador in Manila to express a strong protest.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Coast Guard justified its actions, saying it used water cannons when the Philippine ships entered Chinese waters despite repeated warnings.
Manila and Beijing launched a military exchange program in 2007. Every year, the Philippines sends about five officers to China for six to 12 months of training.
Tensions between the Philippines and China have increased in the South China Sea this year due to disagreements over overlapping waters claimed by both sides.
In February 2023, the Philippines said one of its patrol boats was targeted by a Chinese Coast Guard ship with a military-grade laser in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
The Philippines also reported an incident in which some of its patrol boats were intercepted by Chinese vessels near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
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