US condemns China-Philippines clash at Second Thomas Shoal
Washington said one Filipino sailor was injured and warned Beijing's pattern of provocation threatens regional stability.
The United States condemned China’s actions in a clash with Philippine naval personnel at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on 20 July 2026. Washington said one Filipino sailor was injured and called on Beijing to stop behavior it described as dangerous and destabilizing. According to the Philippine military, the incident began when a China coast guard vessel approached and filmed BRP Sierra Madre in the Spratly Islands. Two Philippine rubber boats were then deployed to drive them away before hand-to-hand fighting broke out. China denied the allegations and accused the Philippine side of first ramming the boats and attacking with paddles and sticks. The incident comes ahead of an ASEAN and China meeting in Manila that will also discuss territorial disputes in the South China Sea.