BEIJING, China (The Adobo Chronicles, Hong Kong Bureau) – The Philippines’ coast guard and military condemned on Sunday what they called the China Coast Guard’s “dangerous” actions after it fired water cannons at Philippine vessels, the latest of Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

But it was all a misunderstanding.

The Chinese Coast Guard said it was merely executing a formal salute as a friendship gesture to the Filipinos.

It is a fact that water cannons are used worldwide as a celebratory display for various occasions, including anniversaries of bridges, the landing of inaugural flights at airports, and other commemorative occasions.