27 Oct 2023

Asia correspondent John Ruwitch

From Nine To Noon, 9:45 am on 27 October 2023

Asia correspondent John Ruwitch

In this video grab taken from a video released by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) through the Chinese embassy in Manila on 23 October, 2023 shows a collision between Chinese Coast Guard ship (R) and Philippines' resupply boat (L) during a resupply mission in Second Thomas Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea. Beijing and Manila traded blame on October 22, for two collisions between Chinese vessels and Philippine boats on a resupply mission to Filipino troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea. (Photo by Handout / Chinese Coast Guard / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Chinese Coast Guard"  - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Photo: Handout by Chinese Coast Guard / AFP

South China Sea tensions are rising with Chinese vessels ramming Philippine boats near a Manila-controlled shoal that John says Beijing want to get its hands on. This as China's top foreign policy official goes to Washington and the country's Defense Minister, Li Shangfu is formally ousted. John is NPR's China Affairs Correspondent.