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Chinese Coast Guard and other forces Use powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking moves China has been taking military action against Philippine forces since last year, particularly at the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
The increasingly intense standoffs at the shoal and in surrounding waters have raised concerns they could escalate into a larger conflict that could draw in the United States, a longtime treaty ally of the Philippines.
In the most serious clashes, Chinese military motorboats repeatedly rammed and thenOn June 17, two Philippine Navy vessels were boarded The Philippine government said the move was intended to prevent Filipino personnel from transferring food and other supplies, including guns, to the ship outpost in shallow waters around Scarborough Shoal.
Chinese soldiers seized a Philippine Navy vessel and damaged it with machetes and homemade spears. They also seized seven M4 rifles packed in boxes and other supplies. The violent clash left several people injured. Philippine Navy personnel, one of whom lost a thumba fierce conflict broke out between the two sides, and Philippine officials later released videos and photos recording the scene at that time.
Washington has repeatedly reiterated its obligation Defending the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty The Philippines would be forced to take military action if its forces were attacked in and around the South China Sea, but Marcos said the Philippines would not invoke the treaty in light of the June 17 violence.
The Philippine government said on Sunday it had reached an agreement with China to end the standoff over the Second Thomas Shoal.
The landmark agreement came after a series of meetings and exchanges of diplomatic notes between Philippine and Chinese diplomats in Manila aimed at Reach a mutually acceptable arrangement on the shoal Two Philippine officials told The Associated Press that neither side recognizes its territorial claims.
Neither side has released the text of the agreement, but senior Philippine security officials have reviewed it, the officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss its details publicly.
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