"Chinese Coast Guard's Aggressive Actions Escalate Tensions in South China Sea"

The Chinese coast guard fired a water cannon at a Philippine supply boat near the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, causing significant damage to the vessel. This is the second time the boat has been damaged by Chinese forces this month. The shoal has become the backdrop for an increasingly tense territorial standoff between the Chinese coast guard and Philippine navy personnel. The United States has deployed Navy ships into the region to stabilize what it calls "freedom of navigation" operations, which have been criticized by China.