US slams 'dangerous' China action in sea clash with Philippines navy

Washington on Monday condemned what it called "dangerous and aggressive" action by China, whose personnel are accused of injuring a Filipino sailor at a shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

"The United States condemns China's dangerous and aggressive actions against Philippine navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on July 20, 2026, and calls on China to immediately cease its destabilizing conduct," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

The Philippine military has accused the China Coast Guard of clubbing a Filipino sailor with a baton as they approached a grounded vessel that has long served as a Philippine garrison in the disputed waters.