US calls out China 'escalation' after Chinese coast guard fired water cannons at Philippine ships

The State Department called out China for its "escalation" in the South China Sea, saying it "directly threatens regional peace and stability," while maintaining the United States' commitment to supporting the Philippines.

"The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of this escalation that directly threatens regional peace and stability, escalates regional tensions, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement Friday.