U.S. condemns China over clash with Philippine navy in South China Sea

According to CNBC, the United States condemned China's actions against Philippine navy personnel in the disputed South China Sea after Manila said a Chinese coast guard officer repeatedly struck a Filipino sailor on the head with a wooden baton, injuring him and damaging a navy rubber boat. The confrontation took place at Second Thomas Shoal on Monday, and tensions in the waterway are expected to feature in U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Manila this week for ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Washington stands with the Philippines and called on Beijing to stop its destabilizing conduct. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the encounter occurred near the BRP Sierra Madre, while Beijing said Philippine dinghies had launched illegally, ignored warnings and rammed a Chinese patrol vessel.