Latest news with #PhilippineCoastguard
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
In first comment on South China Sea crash, Beijing slams ‘dangerous' moves by Philippines
Beijing on Friday issued its first direct comment on the reported collision incident in the South China Sea earlier this week, with its Ministry of Defence strongly condemning the Philippine coastguard for 'dangerous manoeuvring'. The Philippine vessels 'severely jeopardised the safety of Chinese ship personnel', ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said, referring to the confrontation near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Monday. Several Philippine coastguard vessels and government ships had 'illegally entered waters near China's Huangyan Island', he said, referring to the shoal by its Chinese name. The Chinese coastguard 'had taken measures such as surveillance, external coercion, and interception in accordance with the law to drive them away', Jiang added, though he did not confirm whether any collision took place. Scarborough, which the Philippines claims as the Panatag Shoal, has been the scene of numerous stand-offs between rival claimants. 'Philippine coastguard vessels engaged in dangerous manoeuvres multiple times, such as high-speed ramming, sharp turns and crossing in front of Chinese vessels, creating a complex and urgent situation at sea and seriously infringing upon China's sovereignty and rights,' Jiang said. While he did not directly confirm whether a Chinese coastguard ship had collided with a People's Liberation Army (PLA) naval destroyer, Jiang acknowledged that the safety of Chinese 'ship personnel' had been 'seriously jeorpardised', and condemned the Philippines for 'seriously undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea'.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Chinese jet accused of ‘dangerous' moves near South China Sea's Scarborough Shoal
A Chinese fighter jet allegedly flew close to a Philippine coastguard aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday morning, while US and PLA naval vessels operated close by amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine state-run broadcaster People's Television Network (PTV), a Cessna Caravan operated by the coastguard was performing a 'maritime domain awareness flight' when the alleged incident occurred, involving what appeared to be an Su-30 On-board footage posted by PTV on social media appeared to show the Chinese jet making a turn at a higher altitude than the Cessna with multiple missiles visible, signalling it was on a combat-capable mission. The Russian-made Su-30 is a multirole fighter, mainly used for long-range interception, strike and air superiority missions. A PTV reporter on board the Cessna Caravan said the jet tailed the single-propeller coastguard plane for about 20 minutes and allegedly conducted 'dangerous manoeuvres' at close proximity, an estimated '200 to 500 feet (30 to 150 metres)' away. Meanwhile, People's Liberation Army Navy ships in the area repeatedly issued radio challenges during the incident, according to the report, and a communication from a US Navy ship was also heard.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese fighter jet flies close to Philippine plane over disputed shoal in South China Sea, Manila says
A Chinese fighter jet allegedly flew close to a Philippine coastguard aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on August 13, 2025, while US and PLA naval vessels operated close by amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine state-run broadcaster People's Television Network (PTV), a Cessna Caravan operated by the coastguard was performing a 'maritime domain awareness flight' when the alleged incident occurred, involving what appeared to be an Su-30.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Collision between Chinese ships expected to escalate tension in South China Sea
More tension is expected in the South China Sea following a collision between two Chinese vessels , with analysts predicting the incident was likely to prompt Beijing to further increase its presence in the contested waterway. Experts also warned that the incident could push China to enhance coordination between its navy and coastguard to prevent similar accidents in future. On Monday, Manila claimed that a China Coast Guard vessel sustained severe damage to its bow after colliding with a larger People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship the Guilin, a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, while chasing a Philippine coastguard ship. 03:09 Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine coastguard in contested South China Sea Chinese ships collide during clash with Philippine coastguard in contested South China Sea The incident occurred in contested waters near Scarborough Shoal , known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines or Huangyan Island in China. China has yet to confirm the collision. Gan Yu, the coastguard spokesman, only mentioned a move to expel the Philippine vessel on Monday, saying China had taken 'necessary' measures – including tracking, monitoring, intercepting and blocking – and describing its actions as 'professional, standardised, legitimate and legal'. He said the coastguard would continue its law enforcement activities to 'safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests'. Chester Cabalza, founder and president of International Development and Security Cooperation, a Manila-based think tank, said China was likely to push for a greater maritime presence in the region to project power.
Sky News
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
The Philippines condemns 'dangerous manoeuvres ' as Chinese vessels collide in Scarborough Shoal
The Philippines has criticised China for what it called "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" after two Chinese vessels collided while chasing a Philippine craft in the South China Sea. A Chinese Coastguard patrol boat hit a Chinese navy ship in the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Monday as they harassed a Philippines Coastguard patrol boat delivering supplies, including fuel and ice, to dozens of fishing boats. Manila's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the actions of the Chinese boats "not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels". Philippine Coastguard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a widely-reported statement: "The [China Coastguard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [Filipino Coastguard vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel's starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA [People's Liberation Army] navy warship. "This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel's forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy." The Philippines Armed Forces' Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Tuesday they believed the navy ship was trying "to ram our Philippine Coastguard (vessel). That is also (the) assessment of our Philippine Coastguard". US Ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, condemned on X what she called "latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel... and commend the Philippine Coastguard for their professionalism and their offer to render assistance". China's defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On Monday, China's Coastguard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters in the area. Philippine Coastguard footage showed a Chinese Coastguard ship tracking the Suluan before a Chinese navy ship, bearing the number 164 on its hull, suddenly cut across its path, colliding with it and damaging the smaller vessel's forecastle. People can be heard shouting in alarm before a loud crash at the moment of impact. Pictures showed substantial damage to the front of the Chinese Coastguard vessel. It was the first known collision between Chinese vessels in the area. Both countries claim the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, as well as other areas in the South China Sea.
