On December 9 and 10, in the area of Angin Shoal and Scarborough Reef, the Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against Philippine ships. Mao Ning stressed that the Chinese Foreign Ministry has already made a serious presentation to the Philippine side on this issue, and also expressed a strong protest.
The Chinese side blames the Philippines for the incident. The diplomat called it a provocation and said that China will continue to take the necessary measures and provide strong opposition.
The Philippines placed the American amphibious assault ship Sierra Madre stranded in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in 1999. The PRC has repeatedly demanded the elimination of this facility and even threatened to tow it away.
