US condemns China's actions against PH navy in South China Sea

WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department said on Monday that the United States condemns China's "dangerous and aggressive" actions against Philippine navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

The United States called on China to immediately cease its destabilizing conduct, the State Department added.

China and the Philippines on Monday traded accusations after an encounter between vessels in contested South China Sea waters, with Manila saying one of its navy personnel was struck on the head and Beijing saying Manila provoked the incident.

-Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington/Reuters