Dozens of Chinese Ships Chase Philippine Vessels as US Renews Warning It Will Defend Its Treaty Ally

Dozens of Chinese Ships Chase Philippine Vessels as US Renews Warning It Will Defend Its Treaty Ally
Chinese coast guard and suspected Chinese militia ship block the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, during a resupply mission at the disputed South China Sea on Nov. 10, 2023. Joeal Calupitan/AP Photo
The Associated Press
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ABOARD THE BRP CABRA—As a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flew in circles, keeping a close watch, dozens of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships chased and encircled Philippine vessels in the latest confrontation in one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the South China Sea.

At the height of Friday’s four-hour faceoff in the high seas, a Chinese coast guard ship blasted a water cannon toward a Philippine motorboat delivering food and other supplies to Filipino forces on a marooned, rusting warship that serves as the country’s fragile territorial outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.