A confrontation on the high seas between China and the Philippines escalated on Tuesday as Coast Guard vessels from both countries clashed in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The incident occurred at sunrise, with the Philippines accusing China of executing dangerous maneuvers.
During the confrontation, a large Chinese Coast Guard ship directly confronted a Philippines Coast Guard vessel, impeding its progress towards the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines claims the shoal as part of its economic exclusion zone, while China asserts its ownership of the area.
