China and Philippines exchange accusations after sailor injured at sea

A dispute between China and the Philippines has escalated following a confrontation near the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in an injury to a Philippine sailor. The Philippine military alleges that a Chinese coastguard vessel harassed their outpost, while China claims the Philippine boats initiated the incident. This tension arises as Southeast Asian foreign ministers convene in Manila, amid calls for China to respect a 2016 international arbitration ruling favoring Philippine maritime rights. The U.S. State Department condemned China’s actions as aggressive and destabilizing.

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