The Philippines and China summoned each other’s ambassadors on Tuesday after a confrontation at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
The latest incident has further heightened tensions between the two countries over their overlapping claims in the strategic waterway.
The Philippine military alleged that a China Coast Guard officer struck a Filipino sailor with a baton during Monday’s confrontation. Manila summoned China’s ambassador, and President Ferdinand Marcos met the envoy following the incident.
China, in turn, said it had urgently summoned the Philippine ambassador, accusing Manila of “deliberate provocation” at the disputed reef.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea. The Philippines is among several countries that contest China’s claims, and confrontations in the region have become increasingly frequent.
Meanwhile, Washington condemned clash and call Beijing’s a dangerous and aggressive actions… also US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Manila on Tuesday for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meetings. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also attending the summit.
