🌊 South China Sea Tensions Escalate: China Accuses U.S. of Fueling Philippines Dispute

China accused the U.S. of using the Philippines to “stir trouble” in the South China Sea after a collision near Sandy Cay, where Chinese Coast Guard ships used water cannons on Philippine vessels, per Reuters. The incident, the fifth clash in a month, involved Manila’s resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint in the Spratly Islands. China claims nearly all of the sea, overlapping with the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ, despite a 2016 Hague ruling rejecting Beijing’s claims. The U.S., bound by a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, condemned China’s actions and conducted joint naval drills with the Philippines, Australia, and Japan, per the U.S. 7th Fleet. Posts on X show 65% of users fear escalation, with trade routes handling $3.3T annually at risk, per CNBC.

📌 Key Highlights:
▶️ China’s “gray zone” tactics, like water cannons, escalate tensions without full conflict.
▶️ The Philippines’ BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal faces frequent Chinese blockades.
▶️ ASEAN and international law are pushed as solutions, but diplomacy stalls.

💬 Can ASEAN mediate this dispute? Will U.S. involvement deter or escalate conflict? Share your thoughts in the comments!

More information on: https://buzzheadlines.com/society/china-accuses-u-s-of-using-philippines-to-stir-trouble-south-china-sea-tensions-escalate/

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