New Confrontation in South China Sea China Accused of Harassing Philippine Boats

Incident comes amid escalating tensions, weeks after collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels during a resupply mission. The U.S. reiterates its defense pact with the Philippines.

The Philippines accused China of harassing its boats in the South China Sea, marking a new confrontation in the disputed waters. The incident involved three Chinese speed boats chasing a Philippine Coast Guard rubber boat carrying journalists.
The confrontation occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where the Philippine Navy has a grounded navy vessel. The area has been a flashpoint for Manila and Beijing since the Philippine Navy ran it aground in 1999 to check China's advance in the waters.
China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea, has ignored an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis. It deploys ships and speed boats to patrol the waters and reefs in the sea, and has built artificial islands that it has militarised to reinforce its claims.
Tensions have escalated under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, whose administration has been increasingly vocal in criticising Chinese actions in the sea. Resupply and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre have become a frequent trigger of diplomatic spats between the countries.
The U.S. has reiterated its defense pact with the Philippines, stating that it extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft - including those of its Coast Guard - anywhere in the South China Sea.