A Chinese coast guard vessel (R) fires its water cannon at the Philippines’ BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Philippine occupied Thitu island, locally called Pag-asa island, in the South China Sea on Oct. 12, 2025. Philippine Coast Guard via AP
The United States has criticized China over what it calls “dangerous actions” by Chinese vessels near disputed islands in the South China Sea, while reaffirming its defense pact with the Philippines.
U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott condemned the Chinese regime’s “ramming and water cannoning” of a Philippine vessel belonging to Manila’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Oct. 12, according to a statement released on Oct. 13.
