Two Philippine boats braved a dangerous confrontation with Beijing’s forces Tuesday to deliver food, supplies, and a fresh crew of sailors to Filipino forces in the South China Sea. The troops there are guarding a contested shoal.
To make the drop off, the boats had to breach a Chinese coast guard blockade. Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels escorted the supply boats with backup from a U.S. Navy plane circling overhead.
But the mission wasn’t smooth sailing.
At least four Chinese coast guard ships blocked the boats in a nearly five-hour standoff.