A Chinese warship and guided-missile destroyer collided in the South China Sea on Monday, marking one of the most severe incidents involving Chinese forces to date. The incident occurred while a Philippine Coast Guard vessel was conducting a blockade attempt around Scarborough Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The Chinese cutter, 3104, was reportedly chasing the Philippine vessel alongside a PLAN 052D-class guided-missile destroyer when it crashed into the bow of the Guilin. The collision rendered the cutter “unseaworthy” due to substantial damage to its bow.
Despite efforts by Chinese sailors to deploy a fender before the collision, the incident left at least two sailors injured. However, no fatalities have been reported.
The Philippine Coast Guard has offered assistance for man-overboard recovery and medical support to their Chinese counterparts. The incident is the latest escalation in the long-running dispute between the Philippines and China over Scarborough Shoal.
China claims the shoal under its ten-dash line assertion, while the Philippines asserts its sovereignty over the territory. Beijing has repeatedly accused Philippine actions in the region of disrupting peace and stability.
The collision highlights the growing tensions in the South China Sea as China pushes to expand its claimed exclusionary zone. Experts say that China’s aggressive behavior, including grey zone tactics such as swarming and water cannons, is a significant threat to freedom of navigation on the high seas.
Source: https://news.usni.org/2025/08/11/chinese-coast-guard-navy-ships-collide-in-south-china-sea-during-blockade-attempt-against-philippine-forces