Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over South China Sea flare-up

The Philippines' foreign ministry summoned a Chinese diplomat on Thursday to protest Beijing's use of water cannon against Filipino vessels at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

"The Philippines protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions of China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia," the foreign affairs department said in a statement, referring to fishing vessels Manila maintains are militia. It urged the boats to leave surrounding waters immediately.