The Philippines on Friday condemned China’s coast guard for “dangerous manoeuvres” that “put the lives of our people at risk”, including its use of a water cannon against one of its boats, in an attempt to disrupt a resupply mission in the South China Sea.

For years, Manila and Beijing have been embroiled in on-off confrontations at the Second Thomas Shoal as China has become more assertive in pressing its maritime claims, alarming rival claimants and other states operating in the South China Sea, including the US and Japan.