2025 China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy ship collision incident

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2025 China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy ship collision incident
Part of Territorial disputes in the South China Sea
People's Liberation Army Navy Destroyer Guilin (164) and China Coast Guard Cutter Nanyu (3104) collision 20250811.jpg
The moment of collision between Guilin (left) and 3104 (right).
DateAround 8:00 am (PhST, UTC+8), August 11, 2025 [1]
Location 15°07′N117°46′E / 15.117°N 117.767°E / 15.117; 117.767
Result Severe damage to a China Coast Guard vessel; heightened tensions between the Philippines and China
Belligerents
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
Units involved
Philippine Coast Guard China Coast Guard
People's Liberation Army Navy
Casualties and losses
None 1 China Coast Guard vessel (Chinese cutter Jiangdao 3104) rendered inoperable

The 2025 China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy ship collision incident was a maritime event that occurred on August 11, 2025, near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in which a China Coast Guard vessel and a People's Liberation Army Navy warship collided while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel. The incident was captured on video and released by the Philippine government, triggering renewed tensions in the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. [2] [3]

Contents

Background

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, its vessel, BRP Suluan, was conducting a routine patrol near Scarborough Shoal when several China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy ships began maneuvering aggressively. The Chinese vessels reportedly sought to obstruct and expel the Philippine vessel from the reef. [4]

The incident

The bow of China Coast Guard vessel 3104 sustained heavy damage China Coast Guard Cutter Nanyu (3104) 20250811.jpg
The bow of China Coast Guard vessel 3104 sustained heavy damage
The warship Guilin showing dents and multiple scrape marks on its port side People's Liberation Army Navy Destroyer Guilin (164) 20250811.jpg
The warship Guilin showing dents and multiple scrape marks on its port side
The Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel Suluan recorded the video, which showed the collision between Guilin and China Coast Guard 3104 at the 0:58 mark

During a resupply mission, the Philippine vessel encountered a naval maneuver carried out by the China Coast Guard and the People's Liberation Army Navy. According to Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tallera, Suluan was targeted with water cannon blasts and chased by China Coast Guard vessel 3104. The entire operation was documented by Philippine Coast Guard personnel and accompanying journalists using various cameras. The footage shows the Chinese warship Guilin and China Coast Guard 3104 attempting to block Suluan, which evaded them by passing between the two vessels. [3]

Prior to the collision, Suluan veered to the right, while China Coast Guard 3104 followed closely from behind on its port side. Guilin first made a sharp turn to the right, then swung to the left in an attempt to block Suluan's course. However, Suluan accelerated and also turned left, narrowly avoiding Guilin's stern. 3104, unable to maneuver in time, struck Guilin at high speed.

Images released by the Philippines show crew members aboard China Coast Guard 3104 attempting to place fenders at the bow shortly before the impact, but these proved insufficient to prevent the collision. The crash caused extensive damage to the bow and forecastle of 3104, with its hull crumpling inward by approximately 10 meters (33 ft), rendering the ship inoperable. Guilin sustained lesser damage, though visible scrapes and dents were apparent on its port side. [3]

After the collision, Guilin did not assist the disabled 3104 and instead continued its pursuit of Suluan. The operation was considered highly dangerous. Later, the Philippines stated, "We express our concern for the Chinese sailors who may have been injured." [3] [5] [6]

Based on the video released by the Philippine government, while 3104 was pursuing Suluan, it suddenly collided with the People's Liberation Army Navy warship. The crash resulted in severe damage to the Chinese coast guard vessel, leaving it unable to sail. [7] In response to individuals who had fallen overboard and the collision itself, the Philippine Coast Guard redirected the mission of BRP Teresa Magbanua and contacted 3104 via radio to offer search-and-rescue and medical assistance, but received no reply. [8] Roughly an hour later, the People's Liberation Army Navy and the China Coast Guard initiated their own search-and-rescue operations. The People's Liberation Army Navy Type 903 replenishment ship Honghu arrived to assist, along with several militia vessels, in a search-and-rescue effort conducted 15–25 nautical miles (28–46 km; 17–29 mi) east of the reef. [9] After the operation, Suluan returned to Manila. [10]

No casualties were reported on either side, but the Philippines condemned the Chinese vessels' "dangerous maneuvers and unlawful interference". [4]

Aftermath

On August 11, Gan Yu, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, claimed that the Philippines had dispatched several coast guard and government vessels near Scarborough Shoal under the pretext of resupplying fishing boats. According to him, despite repeated persuasion and warnings from China, the China Coast Guard took "lawful measures" to drive them away. He emphasized that China would defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, describing the actions as "professional, standard, and legitimate." He also stated that the Philippine vessels had already been expelled from the waters near Scarborough Shoal, but did not mention the collision. [11]

The Philippines issued a statement stressing that "their [China's] actions not only posed a serious threat to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision of two Chinese ships." The statement further noted: "In recognition of its duty to provide assistance during maritime disasters and in carrying out missions within its jurisdiction, the Philippines promptly expressed readiness to provide medical aid and other support, including the possible towing of the disabled China Coast Guard vessel to ensure the safety of other ships in the area." [12] [13]

On August 12, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, awarded the Coast Guard Bronze Cross Medal and Ribbon to the 42 crew members of BRP Suluan in recognition of their active and courageous service. Captain Jomark Angue was awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal and Ribbon. [14] [15]

Censorship in China regarding the incident

Philippine Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that at least two China Coast Guard personnel were killed in the incident, although this has not been independently confirmed. [16] On China’s social media platform Weibo, a military news account titled “Marine Equipment and Public Service Ship Information” posted an image of three candles, suggesting that three individuals may have died. [17] Meanwhile, with China’s military parade approaching on 3 September, authorities restricted news about the reportedly embarrassing incident on national social media platforms to reduce discussion, and state media made no reports about it. [18] [19] [20] Some military analysts nonetheless suggested that "this provides an opportunity to assess their true capabilities". [21]

Reactions

CNN reported that while the incident could be seen as "embarrassing" for the Chinese military, the potential escalation of tensions instead became a "fortunate" reminder that the vessel had collided with its own ship. According to Ray Powell, an expert on South China Sea issues and director of the Light of the Ocean project at the Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, the Philippines is a treaty ally of the United States under an international agreement. He noted that if the excessive maneuver had resulted in the deaths of Philippine crew members—considering the significant disparity in size between the two vessels, which could have caused the immediate sinking of the Philippine ship—such an outcome might be regarded as an intentional injury and interpreted as an "act of war." This would constitute grounds for international legal intervention, sanctions, and embargoes. The United States and the Philippines signed the Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951. Regarding the collision between the Chinese military and coast guard vessels, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Loss Carlson stated: "Condemn China's latest reckless action against the 'Suluan' and praise the professionalism of the Philippine Coast Guard." The European Union also called on China to adhere to agreements, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. [22]

The Chinese government denied responsibility, accusing the Philippines of "provocation" and "territorial intrusion." Meanwhile, the Philippines received statements of support from several ASEAN member states and from the United States. [23]

On August 13, 2025, the United States deployed two warships near Scarborough Shoal to demonstrate support and to ensure freedom of navigation in the area. [23]

References

  1. "Chinese ships collide off Scarborough Shoal; PCG offers help". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 11, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  2. Mahtani, Shibani (August 11, 2025). "Footage shows two Chinese ships colliding while chasing Philippine boat". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Chinese ships slam into one another during a South China Sea chase, Philippine Coast Guard video shows". Business Insider. August 11, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Chinese warship crashes into own coastguard vessel while chasing Philippine boat in South China Sea". The Guardian. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  5. "【一文看懂】中國軍艦撞自家海警船 為何專家說「殺雞用牛刀」原本可能更糟? | 國際焦點". 太報 TaiSounds (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  6. 廖梓翔 (August 12, 2025). "中國海警瘋狂追菲船「誤撞自家軍艦」 菲律賓批中國行動「殘暴又愚蠢」". CTWANT (in Chinese). Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  7. "Philippines blames China for ship collision in disputed South China Sea". AP News. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  8. Dumalag, Gabryelle (August 12, 2025). "PCG offered help after CCG vessel collided with Chinese navy warship". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  9. "桂林艦撞船後還猛追菲艇一小時 洪湖艦接手救援「斷頭」的海警船". ETtoday新聞雲 (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  10. "PH vessel's flagpole hit by Chinese warship in Bajo de Masinloc". GMA News Online. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  11. 半岛电视台 (August 11, 2025). "中国称在黄岩岛附近驱逐菲律宾船只". Al Jazeera (Chinese) (半岛电视台) (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  12. "南海追逐釀船隻相撞 菲律賓譴責中國非法干擾[] | 國際". 中央社 CNA (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  13. Wolfe, Jonathan; See, Aie Balagtas (August 13, 2025). "中国海警船与解放军军舰相撞,菲律宾批"危险动作"". 纽约时报中文网 (in Chinese). Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  14. Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (August 12, 2025). "PCG commends BRP Suluan crew for bravery in WPS incident". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  15. 張梓嘉 (August 12, 2025). "中國海警追菲巡邏艇誤撞自家艦 菲律賓船員護海域立功獲頒勳章". 公視新聞網 PNN (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  16. "Press Release - Lacson Lauds PH Coast Guard Maneuver, Mourns Reported Senseless Deaths in Latest WPS Incident". Senate of the Philippines. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  17. 李欣潔 (August 12, 2025). "中國不敢報!海警船撞自家軍艦瞬間噴血霧 微博發文洩3死端倪". 自由時報.
  18. "中國封鎖自家艦艇碰撞消息 胡錫進撂話菲律賓被刪文". 中央社 CNA (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  19. "中国军舰在南海撞上自家海警船 中国审查相关内容". ABC News (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  20. "北京觀察》九三大閱兵前,中國海軍與海警自家相撞!南海撞船事件揭中共軍力隱憂?". Yahoo News (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  21. "中共海軍、海警艦海上烏龍互撞事件 張競:中共是否高效能修復艦艇才是各國關心重點". 《菱傳媒》RWNews (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  22. "中国海警船与自家军舰相撞受损,马尼拉对中方"危险操作"表示"严重关切"". 美国之音 (in Chinese). August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  23. 1 2 "US briefly deploys 2 warships to a disputed South China Sea shoal after Chinese collision". AP News. August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.