US Responds to Chinese Water Cannon Attack in South China Sea

The State Department has said the United States stands with the Philippines after the treaty ally's fishing boats were hit with water cannons by Chinese forces in the South China Sea last week, as maritime disputes between Manila and Beijing remain unresolved.

The Philippine coast guard said three fishermen were injured and two fishing boats sustained significant damage from what it called "high-pressure water cannon blasts" while operating lawfully at Escoda Shoal—also known as Sabina Shoal—on Friday.

The Chinese coast guard accused Philippine vessels of conducting "provocative acts" in waters near the atoll, which China claims as Xianbin Jiao, despite repeated warnings. It said "necessary control measures" were taken to drive multiple groups of vessels away.

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