China is testing the limits of a critical U.S.-Philippines defense pact — will Washington respond?

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Philippines,China,U.S. Army

China has stepped up its actions against the Philippines in disputed waters of the South China Sea, raising questions of American deterrence in the region.

China has ramped up actions towards the Philippines in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, using "gray zone tactics" to skirt a U.S.- Philippines defense pact.

Last week, the Chinese coast guard seized two Filipino ships on a resupply mission to an outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands,The area has seen several clashes over the past months. Experts say the latest incident represents an escalation and shows the limitations of the According to Cabalza, unless Manila and Washington do more to increase deterrence, Beijing will continue to employ "gray zone" tactics in its attempt to win the shoal and other areas contested by the Philippines.

"It's extremely important for the Philippines and U.S. to signal that Filipino troops are empowered and sanctioned to use live firearms to defend themselves, and that usage of live firearms by China would immediately trigger the MDT," he added.

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