A Chinese navy warship collided with a China Coast Guard vessel during a high-speed pursuit of a Philippine patrol ship in disputed waters of the South China Sea, according to Philippine authorities.
The incident took place Monday near the Scarborough Shoal, a reef chain claimed by both Manila and Beijing. The Philippine Coast Guard said the BRP Suluan was escorting supply boats delivering aid to local fishermen when it was pursued by Chinese vessels.
Video released by Manila shows a China Coast Guard ship colliding with a larger Chinese warship, identified by the hull number 164, as they maneuvered near the Philippine patrol boat. The impact left the coast guard vessel’s bow crushed inward.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese coast guard vessel had attempted a hazardous maneuver from the Philippine ship’s starboard side, causing it to strike the warship. The damage was severe enough to leave the Chinese vessel unfit for continued operations.
Earlier in the encounter, Chinese vessels had targeted the BRP Suluan with a water cannon, which the Philippine crew avoided. Tarriela said Chinese personnel were seen on the forward deck of the smaller vessel shortly before the collision, but their condition remains unknown. He added that the Chinese did not respond to an offer of assistance.
China confirmed a confrontation had taken place but did not acknowledge the collision. A Chinese coast guard spokesperson said measures were taken to monitor, block, and drive away the Philippine ships “in accordance with the law.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to address the collision directly.
The clash is the latest in a growing number of maritime run-ins between the two countries in the South China Sea, a critical shipping route that carries more than 60 percent of global maritime trade. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, a claim rejected by a 2016 international tribunal ruling.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country will continue its patrols to defend what it views as its sovereign waters. Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint since 2012, when China took control from the Philippines.
Marcos also warned of rising tensions with China over Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. He said the Philippines, located near a vital sea lane by Taiwan and home to over 100,000 nationals living there, would inevitably be drawn into any conflict over the island.
Beijing accused Marcos of “playing with fire” over his remarks on Taiwan. The president dismissed the criticism, saying his comments were misrepresented for political purposes. He stressed that any war over Taiwan would inevitably affect the Philippines, regardless of its intentions.
