Quick Summary

A Chinese navy warship and a coast guard vessel collided while chasing a Philippine patrol boat near Scarborough Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard says. Manila blames a risky maneuver by the Chinese ship; Beijing confirms a confrontation but omits mention of the crash. The incident highlights rising tensions in the South China Sea, a key global shipping lane.

Dramatic collision between a Chinese navy warship and a Coast Guard vessel was caught on video near Scarborough Shoal

A Chinese navy warship and a China Coast Guard vessel collided on Monday while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in the contested South China Sea, according to Manila. The Philippine Coast Guard released a video showing the crash, which occurred near Scarborough Shoal, a long-standing maritime flashpoint between the two nations.

The incident unfolded as the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Suluan was escorting aid boats delivering supplies to local fishermen. In the footage, the China Coast Guard ship CCG 3104 is seen speeding alongside before colliding with a larger Chinese naval vessel bearing hull number 164, resulting in a loud crash and visible damage.

Manila blames “risky manoeuvre” for collision

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the CCG 3104 had performed a dangerous turn from the Philippine vessel’s starboard side, leading to the impact with the People’s Liberation Army Navy warship.

“This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy,” Tarriela stated.

Tarriela added that the Chinese crew did not respond to offers of assistance from the BRP Suluan after the crash. Before the collision, the Philippine vessel had reportedly been targeted with a water cannon but evaded successfully.

Beijing confirms confrontation, omits collision

Chinese coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu acknowledged a Monday confrontation with the Philippine boat but did not mention a collision. Instead, Gan said the coast guard had taken “necessary measures by the law,” which included “monitoring, pressing from the outside, blocking, and controlling” to drive away Philippine vessels.

Rising tensions in contested waters

This latest incident is part of an escalating pattern of confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea — a strategic waterway through which over 60% of global maritime trade passes.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, a claim invalidated by a 2016 international tribunal ruling. Manila, backed by the ruling, asserts sovereign rights over waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including the Scarborough Shoal.

The shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, has been under Chinese control since 2012, despite repeated diplomatic protests from the Philippines.

Philippines vows to maintain presence

Speaking at a press conference hours after the collision, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that patrol vessels would “continue to be present” in the disputed waters to assert the country’s territorial rights.

“We will defend, as well as exercise, our sovereign rights over what is ours,” Marcos said.

No injuries were reported from Monday’s crash.