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

Chinese coast guard ships hit a Philippine supply boat with water cannons near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, causing injuries to its navy crew members and heavy damage to the vessel. The United States and Japan expressed support for the Philippines and alarm over Chinese aggression, with the U.S. warning of its obligation to defend the Philippines as its oldest treaty ally in Asia. The repeated confrontations have raised fears of a larger conflict, with the Philippines demanding that China demonstrate responsible behavior in the international community.