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 has blocked four Philippine vessels that attempted to "intrude into the territorial waters" of the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday, the country's coastguard said. "On December 4, four Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels attempted to intrude into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Island and came dangerously close to the normal law enforcement and inspection vessels of China's coastguard,

Philippine vessels faced 'blocking, shadowing and dangerous maneuvers' from Chinese navy and coast guard ships, the Philippines said