Asia & Pacific
The Philippine military accused the China Coast Guard of clubbing a Filipino sailor with a baton on Monday as they approached a grounded vessel that has long served as a Philippine garrison.
A China Coast Guard vessel (back right) sails on March 5, 2024, near the Philippine military-chartered Unaizah May 4 (left) during its supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. (AFP/Jam Sta Rosa)
China summoned the Philippine ambassador on Tuesday following a clash at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, which sparked condemnation of Beijing by Manila's allies.Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a vital global trade route, despite an international ruling that found its claims have no legal basis.
Multiple nations in the region, including the Philippines, have territorial claims that overlap with China's, and altercations regularly occur in the heavily patrolled waterway.
