The China's Coast Guard intercepted and shadowed Philippine government vessels over the weekend in an effort to block them from operating within the U.S. ally's internationally recognized maritime zone. The interaction culminated in an hours-long staredown just about 40 miles from a major Philippine island—much closer than has been typical for Chinese Coast Guard actions.

The China Coast Guard ships aggressively honed in on two supply convoys en route to an outlying Philippine military outpost, each time damaging a supply boat with water cannons and injuring sailors onboard. Manila vowed unspecified countermeasures.

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