The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

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The Sierra Madre is a warship turned military outpost intentionally grounded by the Philippines. Last week, the Chinese coast guard shot water cannons on a supply boat in an escalating battle over the former World War II ship.

This massive, crumbling shipwreck-turned-military station has become the latest flashpoint in tense US-China relations. Take a look inside.

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BRP Sierra Madre
The Philippines deliberately ran the Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship, aground in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.

Erik De Castro/Reuters

China's latest addition to its disputed South China Sea outpost: a hot pot restaurant

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Woody Island Paracels South China Sea
A satellite photo of Woody Island in the South China Sea in April 2016.

DigitalGlobe via Getty Images via Getty Images

A new Pentagon map shows how China is beefing up what a top US general calls its 'dangerous position' in the South China Sea

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Cuarteron Reef Spratly Islands South China Sea
Structures on the artificial island built by China in Cuarteron Reef in the Spratly Islands, seen on October 25.

Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Chinese air force bombers show off their growing reach with a long-range drill over the South China Sea

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Chinese H-6K bomber
A Chinese H-6K bomber.

VCG/VCG via Getty Images

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