Beijing Threatens to attack the Philippines as the US Pledges Support to Manila in South China Sea

China is "threatening war" after it authorized its warships to open fire on fishers plying traditional waters, warns the Philippines. Now Washington says it has Manila's back.

Beijing has passed legislation calling upon its military-controlled coast guard to open fire upon "foreign" vessels and destroy "illegal" structures within the East and South China seas. And that has Manila worried the region is about to erupt in violence.