Chinese ships clash during chase of Filipino vessel in South China Sea: Manila's account
In an unexpected incident on August 11, 2025, a collision occurred between a Chinese Navy guided missile destroyer, the PLA Navy 164, "Guilin", and a Chinese Coast Guard cutter, CCG vessel 3104, in the South China Sea near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Suluan was the centre of attention during this confrontation.
The incident unfolded approximately 11 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, a contested area claimed by both China and the Philippines. The Philippine Coast Guard was on a mission to distribute aid to Filipino fishermen in the shoal area when they were pursued by China Coast Guard Cutter 3104.
The Chinese coast guard ship chased the BRP Suluan at high speeds and even used a water cannon against it. In a risky maneuver, the Chinese cutter attempted a sharp starboard turn to overtake the Philippine vessel. At this moment, the Chinese Navy destroyer Guilin unexpectedly crossed at high speed between the Philippine vessel and the Coast Guard cutter, colliding with the cutter’s bow.
The collision caused severe damage to the Chinese Coast Guard cutter’s forecastle, likely rendering it temporarily unseaworthy. The destroyer sustained scraping damage on its port bow and side. Video footage from the Philippine ship shows the close and risky maneuvers by the Chinese vessels and their collision. The Philippine Coast Guard criticized the Chinese Coast Guard maneuvers as dangerous and unprofessional, urging respect for international maritime rules.
The incident has exposed tensions and risky "gray zone" naval tactics in the South China Sea, where China’s expansive claims to the waters are strongly disputed by the Philippines and other regional nations. Manila promptly made the event public as an example of escalating Chinese aggression and provocative actions in contested waters.
China, however, has blamed the Philippines for provoking the incident, while Filipino authorities have stressed their right to operate in their claimed territorial waters. The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, has been a flashpoint between China and the Philippines since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.
This collision reflects the ongoing maritime friction surrounding Scarborough Shoal, with China actively harassing Philippine vessels and asserting control in the disputed area using both Navy and Coast Guard ships. The resulting collision was an unusual instance of "friendly" Chinese ships accidentally striking each other in the high-stakes environment of South China Sea territorial disputes.
It is unclear if anyone was hurt in Monday's incident. The incident was reported by the Philippine government through a statement from spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela, who also stated that earlier in the confrontation, the BRP Suluan was "targeted with a water cannon" by the Chinese but "successfully" evaded it.
The reported collision is the latest in a series of confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The area, which hosts more than 60 percent of global maritime trade, remains a significant point of contention in the region. As of now, no immediate comment has been provided by the Chinese embassy in Manila regarding the incident.
In light of the incident, international news outlets have been reporting on the collision, exposing the ongoing political tensions in the world news space between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Articles detailing this event are also being published in general-news outlets, emphasizing the impact on regional politics and the potential escalation of military actions in this disputed area. Furthermore, some cultural analysts have examined this event as a reflection of the unprofessional and risky tactics employed by both sides in the ongoing dispute, shedding light on the broader issue of diplomatic conduct in the region.
