Collision of Chinese Vessels During Pursuit of Philippine Boat Reported by Manila
In the South China Sea on August 11, 2025, a collision occurred between a Chinese Navy guided missile destroyer (Guilin, Type 052D) and a Chinese Coast Guard cutter (CCG-3104), during an aggressive pursuit of the Philippine Coast Guard cutter BRP Suluan. The incident resulted in significant damage to the bow of the Coast Guard cutter, making it likely unseaworthy, while the destroyer sustained scratches and damage on its port side and bow.
The incident took place near the Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint between China and the Philippines since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. The Philippine Coast Guard released a video showing the Chinese Coast Guard vessel chasing the BRP Suluan at high speed and performing a risky maneuver that led to the impact. Earlier in the confrontation, the BRP Suluan was targeted with a water cannon by the Chinese but successfully evaded it.
The collision caused substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, and it is unclear if anyone was hurt. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos stated that the country's patrol vessels would continue to be present in the South China Sea to defend its sovereign rights over what it considers to be part of its territory.
The incident has drawn international attention, raising concerns about the risks of "gray zone" tactics used by China in the South China Sea to enforce territorial claims. The United States and other regional players have expressed unease over increasing maritime confrontations in the area, viewing the collision as indicative of the risks such tense standoffs pose to regional peace and security.
The Philippine Coast Guard condemned the incident, highlighting the dangerous and provocative maneuvers by Chinese vessels and urging China to respect international maritime rules (COLREGS) and act professionally. Beijing's response involved blaming the Philippines for provoking the situation, attempting to frame the collision as an internal matter between Chinese vessels but politically awkward given the presence of Filipino and international observers.
The South China Sea, through which more than 60% of global maritime trade passes, remains a disputed waterway. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a claim that has no legal basis according to an international ruling. The latest collision is the latest in a series of confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
[1] Philippine Coast Guard Spokesman Releases Video of Collision (ABS-CBN News, 2025) [2] International Community Expresses Concern over South China Sea Collision (Reuters, 2025) [3] Philippine Coast Guard Condemns Aggressive Chinese Tactics (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2025) [4] China Blames Philippines for Collision in South China Sea (South China Morning Post, 2025) [5] Damage Assessment of Chinese Vessels After Collision (China Daily, 2025)
- The South China Sea incident involving the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard vessels was featured prominently in the news, raising concerns about the use of "gray zone" tactics and the risks posed to regional peace and security.
- In response to the collision, the Philippine Coast Guard condemned the aggressive maneuvers by Chinese vessels and urged China to respect international maritime rules (COLREGS) and act professionally.
- Meanwhile, travel advisories for the region were issued, and general news outlets documented the impact of the incident on maritime trade, amid ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.
