WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pledged to defend Philippine vessels if they are attacked in the South China Sea, as Beijing and Manila pointed fingers at each other after a China Coast Guard ship fired water cannons at a Philippine boat.
Indo-Pacific
U.S. vows to defend Philippine boats in South China Sea
Global outcry grows after Beijing water-cannons Manila's resupply vessel
A China Coast Guard aims a water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard vessels near Second Thomas Shoal on Aug. 5. (Philippine Coast Guard via Reuters)
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