The Chinese coast guard came in small boats with axes, long knives and spears.
They used the crude weapons to slash and puncture the Philippine military’s rubber craft. One Chinese boat rammed a Philippine boat at high speed, severing the thumb of a Filipino seaman who was holding on to the side of his ride.
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If by “avalanche” you mean “escalation of conflict”, yes. They don’t allow firearms because of one side shoots, the other side shoots back, then everyone is shooting and it’s a real war. Without guns, they have to actually go up and fight the other guy, which is much less effective fighting. A few guys beat up a few other guys, instead of dozens shooting and killing dozens.