Footage released by the Phillippine military showed Chinese troops slashing their rubber boats, and brandishing an axe, hammers, machetes and knives.

Filipino soldiers fight back with 'bare hands' after Chinese navy storm boats

A general view of a collision between Filipino and Chinese coastguard boats.

The incident took place off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, which both the Philippines and China lay claim to.

Chinese and Philippine coastguard ships filmed colliding in South China Sea

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) conducts a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The U.S. Navy sailed the warship through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, in the first such transit made public since China carried out large-scale military drills around the self-ruled island last weekend in retaliation for a visit by Taiwan's president to the U.S. (U.S. Navy via AP)

The US military accused a Chinese warship of cutting in front of one of its destroyers. 

China accuses US of 'provocation' after near miss between warships 

An outdoor screen depicts a Chinese fighter jet pilot giving a thumbs up in the recently concluded Joint Sword exercise around Taiwan during the evening news broadcast in Beijing, Monday, April 10, 2023. China's military declared Monday it is "ready to fight" after completing three days of large-scale combat exercises around Taiwan that simulated sealing off the island in response to the Taiwanese president's trip to the U.S. last week. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

China spent three days rehearsing how it would 'encircle' Taiwan if decided to invade the self-governing island.

China says military 'ready to fight' after combat exercises around Taiwan

FILE - This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a green military-grade laser light from a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea, Feb. 6, 2023. Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 the Chinese coast guard’s use of a military-grade laser that briefly blinded some crew aboard a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defense treaty with the United States but added he told China that such aggression should stop. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP, File)

The Philippines has vowed to defend its territory in the hotly contested South China Sea.

China blinding Philippine ship crew with laser will not trigger US defence pact

FILE - In this undated file photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location. China’s military sent 71 planes, including J16 fighter jets, and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the island, Taiwan’s defense ministry said Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, after China expressed anger at Taiwan-related provisions in a U.S. annual defense spending bill passed on Saturday.(Taiwan Ministry of Defense via AP, File)

The military exercise is being seen as retaliation for the US's support of the self-governing island.

China sends record 71 planes and seven warships towards Taiwan in show of force

Beijing has demanded Britain stops all 'official contacts' with the self-governing island. 

China lashes out at Britain for sending trade minister to Taiwan

The Pentagon said a US reconnaissance plane was intercepted "unsafely" by two Chinese fighter jets over the disputed area.

South China Sea

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