China Coast Guard Uses Water Cannons to Disrupt Philippine Military Resupply

Chinese Coast Guard cutters disrupted a resupply mission by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, firing water cannons and conducting dangerous maneuvers. The Chinese ships, including the People's Liberation Army Navy, blocked and separated the Philippine flotilla, but one supply boat managed to reach its destination despite the interference. The Philippines maintains its claim on Second Thomas Shoal, while China asserts sovereignty over the area. The incident drew condemnation from several countries, and the United States warned that attacks on Philippine vessels or forces would invoke their mutual defense commitments.