Beijing drills water cannons and drones near disputed South China Sea shoals

What happened: China's coastguard conducted an exercise with water cannons and drones near Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal, according to state broadcaster CCTV, which did not specify dates. Why it matters: The drills are described as preparation for "foreign infringement" near reefs at the centre of China's contention with the Philippines.

Beijing's water cannon and drone drills near disputed South China Sea shoals signal escalating geopolitical tension.

Beijing's water cannon and drone drills near disputed South China Sea shoals signal escalating geopolitical tension. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.