Philippines Is 'Next Ukraine': China Escalating in South China Sea.

The Chinese foreign ministry announced on August 23 that China had engaged in "countermeasures" against two Philippine military planes in the South China Sea, close to Subi Reef.

Near Sabina Shoal, four days prior, two Philippine boats were rammed by Chinese Coast Guard vessels while attempting to replenish forces stationed at Flat and Nanshan Islands. The incident was unjustified.

This action is in response to violent incidents that occurred on June 17 at Second Thomas Shoal, close by. At that time, Chinese ships struck Philippine warships, captured two of them, and injured eight seamen, including one critically. In 1999, Manila grounded the Sierra Madre, a warship from World War II, to support its territorial claims; on March 5, four Filipino sailors were injured at Second Thomas by China.