U.S. accuses China of illegal, "dangerous maneuvers" as Philippine vessels blasted with water cannons

Manila, Philippines — Chinese coast guard vessels backed by navy ships fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel on Wednesday in renewed aggression at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine officials said.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, condemned China's "unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers," accusing Beijing in a social media post of putting "lives at risk" by disrupting a Philippine maritime operation.

"We condemn these actions and stand with our like-minded friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific," Carlson said.