US Condemns China Over Vessel Clash with Philippines

The United States condemned China on Monday after the Philippines and China traded accusations over a maritime confrontation near disputed islands in the South China Sea.

"The United States condemns China's October 12 ramming and water cannoning of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel close to Thitu Island in the South China Sea," the State Department said in a statement.

"We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China's dangerous actions which undermine regional stability."