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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

China Coast Guard reports third clash with Philippines this week in South China Sea

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • China's Coast Guard engaged in a third confrontation with Philippine vessels this week near the Scarborough Shoal, escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
  • China claims it took "control measures" on Philippine vessels conducting "illegal activities," while the Philippines reported a water cannon incident the previous day.
  • The US has shown support for the Philippines, with President Marcos Jr. speaking with US President Trump, who pledged to raise Manila's concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated as China's Coast Guard reported a third clash this week with Philippine vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese Coast Guard stated on July 24 that it implemented "control measures" against multiple Philippine vessels engaged in "illegal activities." The specifics of these measures were not detailed in the statement.

This incident follows a report from the Philippine Coast Guard on July 23, alleging that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel used a water cannon against a Filipino boat for over two minutes near the same shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the latest confrontation.

The escalating maritime disputes occur amidst heightened geopolitical attention. The US Navy's George Washington Carrier Strike Group was observed transiting the Luzon Strait to conduct operations in the South China Sea. Furthermore, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spoke with US President Donald Trump on July 23. According to Manila, Trump assured Marcos that he would discuss the Philippines' concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting.

These events unfold shortly after a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on July 22, where both sides exchanged strong protests. It was their first face-to-face meeting since 2024. Wang had previously warned that bilateral relations were "at a crossroads, and it is up to the Philippines to make the correct and rational choice."

Earlier in the week, the Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard personnel of physically assaulting and injuring a Filipino Navy serviceman with a baton near the Second Thomas Shoal. China has maintained effective control over the Scarborough Shoal, which it refers to as Huangyan Island, and its surrounding waters since a 2012 standoff. Beijing has constructed artificial islands and built structures in contested areas to assert its expansive claims over the South China Sea, claims that were invalidated by a 2016 international tribunal ruling.

bilateral relations are “at a crossroads, and it is up to the Philippines to make the correct and rational choice”.

— Wang YiChinese Foreign Minister, warning the Philippines during a meeting with its Foreign Affairs Secretary.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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