Philippines and Chinese Coast Guard Face Off Again in South China Sea With the U.S. Air Force Overhead

A China Coast Guard vessel almost rammed a Philippine Coast Guard ship on Friday in the latest confrontation between the two sides over disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. Video by Barnaby Lo.

The Philippines Coast Guard and Navy successfully outmaneuvered a Chinese blockade to bring food and other provisions to a remote outpost in the South China Sea — but not before several harrowing confrontations with Chinese vessels that appeared determined to prevent the Filipino vessels from passing.

Chinese fishing vessels, known as the maritime militia, also took part in Friday’s stand-off with Philippines ships that had to move quickly to avoid being rammed and to make their way through more than a dozen Chinese vessels.

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by Eric Olander

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