Chinese Vessels Clash with Philippine Coast Guard in Disputed Waters

Chinese coast guard and militia vessels collided with Philippine coast guard ship and military-run supply boat near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine government condemned the incidents as a violation of sovereignty, while the US immediately condemned China's actions and expressed support for the Philippines. Near-collisions have occurred frequently in the area, but this is the first reported incident of Chinese ships hitting Philippine vessels. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China, the Philippines, and other countries have become a potential flashpoint and a delicate fault line in US-China rivalry in the region.