Tensions flare up between China, the Philippines near Huangyan Dao

Tensions flare between China and the Philippines this week after consecutive standoffs in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday accuses its Chinese counterpart of firing water cannons at government vessels near Huangyan Dao for the second day in a row.

The latest confrontation involves a Chinese vessel, which Manila claims came within about 7 metres of a Filipino fisheries boat and created a "serious risk of collision." Earlier on Friday, China's Coast Guard said it had deployed "control measures" against several Philippine vessels that were "operating illegally" in nearby waters. It urges the Philippines to immediately cease infringements, provocations and groundless hype.

The clashes came amid Southeast Asian foreign ministers' annual talks in Manila, in which the Chinese delegation refuted Japan's false rhetoric regarding the South China Sea, the so-called "China threat" as well as the Taiwan Strait.

The delegation insists the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, stressing the international community's unequivocal stance against "Taiwan independence" will bring assured peace and stability across the strait.