A Chinese coast guard ship involved in a collision in the South China Sea is now under repair at Hainan Island, confirmed by satellite images showing the damaged vessel at a naval base, amid ongoing tensions over territorial disputes and international rulings.
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.
GOP Senator Eric Schmitt is urging the Pentagon to support the Philippines in countering China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea after a collision between Chinese and Filipino Coast Guard vessels. The Chinese Coast Guard blocked the entrance to a disputed area, leading to injuries among Filipino crew members. The U.S. has condemned China's actions and reaffirmed its commitment to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea are expected to be discussed at an upcoming summit, with concerns of a larger conflict involving the U.S. and warnings from China to stop meddling in the region.