This incident not only illustrates the continued tensions in the South China Sea but also provides an opportunity to evaluate China’s maritime capabilities.
A screengrab of a video released by the Philippine Coast Guard showing a collision between a Chinese navy vessel and a patrol ship from the China Coast Guard, close to Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, on August 11, 2025.
In August 2025, near the disputed waters around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a collision occurred while a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyer and a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel were pursuing a Philippine patrol craft. Footage released by the Philippines showed the coast guard ship’s bow suffering severe damage, while the navy vessel’s bow was also struck, forcing both ships to return to Yulin Naval Base for repairs.
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