The United States has voiced support for the Philippines after Chinese coast guard vessels fired water cannons at Filipino fishing boats in the South China Sea, injuring three fishermen and damaging two boats, reported Newsweek.

The Philippine coast guard said the incident occurred at the Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, where fishing boats were operating lawfully. Officials described the blasts as high-pressure attacks that endangered crews.

Beijing accused the Philippine vessels of provocative acts near the atoll, which China calls Xianbin Jiao. Chinese authorities said they took necessary control measures to drive the boats away, insisting the actions were lawful.

China has long claimed sweeping sovereignty over the South China Sea based on historic rights, a position dismissed in 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The Philippines, a US treaty ally, contests those claims.

Manila has responded with joint patrols alongside American and partner forces, countering what Washington views as Beijing's attempt to alter the status quo through a heavy naval and coast guard presence in the disputed waters.

Philippine coast guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela released footage showing Chinese vessels targeting 20 fishing boats with water cannons and blocking manoeuvres. He accused them of cutting anchor lines, calling it a brazen escalation.

Cdre Tarriela said two multirole response vessels were deployed to support fishermen near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's term for its exclusive economic zone extending 230 miles from the coast.

Chinese coast guard spokesman Liu Dejun said Philippine boats sailed near the atoll under the pretense of fishing. He reiterated China's claim of indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Xianbin Jiao.

"We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China's provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbours, which undermine regional stability," said US State Department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott.