China's actions at sea spur Filipino worries, deemed risky following a collision incident
In the South China Sea, tensions continue to rise as a collision between a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyer and a China Coast Guard (CCG) cutter occurred near Scarborough Shoal on Monday, 16th August 2025. The incident, which left both Chinese vessels damaged, has intensified the already strained relations between China and the Philippines.
The Philippine Coast Guard captured the collision on video, providing evidence of the confrontation. The incident took place approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, where both Chinese and Philippine vessels were reportedly harassing each other.
Following the collision, China deployed at least two ocean research vessels near the shoal, including the Xiang Yang Hong 10 equipped with drones. These vessels appear to have been sent to monitor the disputed area more closely. They remained in the vicinity for several days, while Philippine coast guard ships continued their patrols nearby.
The situation in the South China Sea remains highly tense, with continued naval and aerial confrontations involving China, the Philippines, and the United States. On Monday, China's coast guard took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the Scarborough Shoal.
China has publicly blamed the Philippines for the collision and maintains a strong naval presence to assert its territorial claims. However, specific remarks from China's defense ministry were not detailed in the sources.
The Philippine foreign ministry described the actions of Chinese vessels as posing a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, and resulting in the collision. The ministry emphasized the importance of adhering to international maritime rules.
The Philippine offered medical aid and assistance to tow the damaged Chinese Coast Guard vessel out of the area, but it is unclear whether China accepted the offer. Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for the South China Sea, warned of potential for similar incidents to occur due to China's "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive" activities in the strategic waterway.
The incident on Monday marks the latest in a series of incidents between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal declared Beijing's sweeping claims in the South China Sea as having no basis under international law, a decision that China rejects.
Despite the escalating tensions, the Philippine foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue in resolving differences. It is hoped that both countries can find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
[1] AFP. (2025, August 17). China, Philippines trade blame over collision in South China Sea. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/17/china-philippines-trade-blame-over-collision-in-south-china-sea
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 17). China blames Philippines for collision in South China Sea, maintains a strong presence. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-blames-philippines-collision-south-china-sea-maintains-strong-presence-2025-08-17/
[3] CNN. (2025, August 17). US Navy says it did not chase off Chinese warship in South China Sea. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/17/asia/us-china-south-china-sea-intl/index.html
[4] SCMP. (2025, August 18). China sends research vessels to monitor South China Sea after collision with Filipino vessel. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3164492/china-sends-research-vessels-monitor-south-china-sea-after
- The collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea has sparked debates in the realm of politics and general news, with both countries trading blame for the incident.
- The escalating tensions in the South China Sea, following the collision, have led to increased focus on war-and-conflicts, particularly in relation to China's territorial claims and international maritime rules.
