China's Water Cannons Test US-Philippines Pact in Disputed Sea.

China has been using water cannons as a means of dealing with the Philippines in the South China Sea. This tactic has been employed at least six times since August of the previous year, with the most recent incident occurring on March 23. The Philippines' supply boat was surrounded by two China Coast Guard ships and two militia vessels, and was relentlessly attacked with water cannons. This strategy tests the limits of the Philippines' defense treaty with the US, and also demonstrates China's reliance on water cannons to counter the Philippines' growing assertiveness in the region. [Extracted from the article]