A Chinese warship collided with a Chinese coast guard vessel on Monday while the latter was pursuing a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea, according to Philippine authorities.
Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard said his personnel were distributing aid to fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal when the Chinese coast guard conducted a manoeuvre that caused significant damage to the warship’s forward deck.
China confirmed that a confrontation had taken place and accused the Philippines of entering what it described as Chinese waters without permission. Beijing did not comment on any collision.
The South China Sea remains a focal point of territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines and other countries.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased in recent years, with both sides accusing each other of provocative actions at sea.
The Scarborough Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks, has been a contentious area since China took control of it in 2012.
Video released by Manila appeared to show a Chinese coast guard vessel firing water cannons at a Philippine coast guard ship before striking a larger Chinese ship following a sudden turn.
Tarriela said the incident left the warship unseaworthy, though there was no immediate information on any injuries.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated it had urged Chinese authorities to follow international conventions in resolving territorial disputes, noting that unsafe behaviour at sea increases the risk of accidents.
China’s coast guard maintained that its actions were lawful and that it had taken measures to drive Philippine vessels away.
This incident follows several confrontations in the area over the past two years. In December 2024, the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of using water cannons and sideswiping a government vessel near the Scarborough Shoal.
In June 2024, Manila said Filipino soldiers engaged Chinese coast guard personnel armed with edged weapons, resulting in one soldier losing a thumb.
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