The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of blasting a Filipino government vessel with a water cannon near a disputed South China Sea reef yesterday, the third confrontation between the two sides this week.

The incident at Scarborough Shoal, which took place during an attempt to resupply Filipino fishermen, came as top diplomats wrapped up a Southeast Asian regional forum in Manila.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, including the flashpoint shoal, despite an international ruling that its assertion lacks any legal basis. The Philippine Coast Guard said yesterday that the Chinese vessel conducted a “reckless” manoeuvre, coming within seven metres of the BRP Datu Paduhinog and hitting the ship with a water cannon blast.

“BRP Datu Paduhinog experienced a temporary loss of its satellite... connectivity,” the statement said. Two other ships, the BRP Datu Cabaylo and the BRP Cape San Agustin, were also targeted with water cannon but not hit, the coast guard said.

China Coast Guard said it “took necessary measures” including the firing of a water cannon at the Philippine ships to “resolutely  drive them away”.