Chinese warships collided during a chase with a Philippine vessel

• The Chinese warship collided with its own vessel during a chase with the Philippine ship.
• The Philippine side reported the incident due to aggressive actions by China.
• The incident occurred not far from the Spratly Reef, which is the subject of territorial disputes.

On August 12, 2025, an incident occurred in the South China Sea involving a collision between a Chinese warship and one of the vessels of the Chinese coast guard. This happened during an attempt to intercept a Philippine patrol boat, which was delivering fuel and supplies for fishing. The incident took place not far from the Spratly Reef.

Philippine military officials assert that the Chinese warship collided with its own coast guard vessel, attempting to block the Philippine ship, BRP Suluan. Videos circulating on social media show how the Chinese warship, which has the number 164, cuts into the path of the Chinese coast guard vessel.

The Philippine side noted that during the incident, Chinese military vessels demonstrated aggressive behavior. General Romeo Bravner, head of the Philippine armed forces, stated that their actions indicate a change in China's tactics, which began to use military vessels against civilian ships.

The Chinese coast guard, in turn, accused the Philippine ship of intruding into their waters, emphasizing that they acted in a "professional and lawful manner." They did not acknowledge the fact of the collision and possible injuries among their personnel.

The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported a serious violation of the "rules of engagement" of China, underscoring the importance of adhering to international maritime laws. It was also noted that the Philippine court unequivocally prohibited medical assistance from the Chinese side, but no response was received.

This incident occurs in the context of ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where China claims a larger portion of the waters, rich in resources.

Tags: China/Politics