Chinese coast guard vessels backed by navy ships fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel on Wednesday in renewed aggression at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea,

Chinese warships and Coast Guard cutters fired water cannons and collided with a Philippines maritime patrol in disputed waters on Wednesday, marking the latest skirmish between the countries in the South China Sea.

China put "lives at risk" with the "unlawful use of water cannons" against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, the U.S. ambassador in Manila says.

Aside from the harassment in Bajo de Masinloc, PCG said that four of its vessels deployed near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea were also harassed by China.