Chinese coast guard ships fire water cannons and block Philippine fisheries vessel in disputed sea

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese coast guard ship have fired water cannons, blocked and rammed a Philippine fisheries vessel in the disputed South China Sea, where hostilities between the Asian neighbors have flared alarmingly at sea and spread into the air in recent weeks. China and the Philippines blamed each other for the tense confrontations Sunday in the high seas off Sabina Shoal. The area has become a new flashpoint where both have deployed coast guard ships on suspicion that either one may take steps to seize the uninhabited atoll. The Chinese coast guard said that it took action against a Philippine vessel which entered the vicinity waters of Sabina and ignored warnings that led to a minor collision.