The fear is that an incident could turn deadly and prompt the Philippines to activate its mutual defense treaty with the United States. That could lead to a nightmare: a war between the United States and China.
The South China Sea has some of the world's most productive fisheries, shipping channels for global trade, and potential oil and gas reserves.
In the mid-20th century, Beijing laid claim to most of the sea with a sweeping, U-shaped boundary, causing diplomatic tensions.
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