U.S. and Philippine officials conducted live-fire military drills designed to train troops to repel a maritime attack amid a series of confrontations with China‘s forces in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

Officials emphasised that the live fire drill was not aimed at any specific nation, despite its proximity to the disputed waterways

The Philippines summoned a Chinese diplomat on Thursday to protest Beijing's use of water cannon against Filipino vessels at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, describing it as harassment and "dangerous manoeuvres".

Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines on Wednesday accused China's coast guard of elevating tensions in the South China Sea after its use of water canons that damaged two of its vessels,

The Philippines demanded that the Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately,” it added. It marked the 20 th protest by the Philippines against Chine

Manila summoned a senior Chinese envoy on Thursday to protest a water cannon incident that damaged two Philippine vessels during a patrol in the South China Sea. A coast guard vessel and another government boat were damaged in the April 30 incident near the disputed Scarborough Shoal,