Chinese Coast Guard Ramming Escalates Tensions with Philippines in South China Sea

A Chinese coast guard vessel fired a powerful water cannon and rammed a Philippine government ship anchored off a Filipino-inhabited island in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported. The incident, which caused minor damage but no injuries, marks another flashpoint in the long-standing maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, part of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) support fleet, was anchored near Thitu Island — known locally as Pag-asa — when it was targeted. The Chinese vessel, identified by bow number 21559, allegedly fired water cannons directly at the Datu Pagbuaya before ramming its stern, causing minor structural damage. Video footage released by Manila showed the vessel being hit, with two Philippine flags visible on board as it attempted to maneuver away.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela condemned the attack as “dangerous and provocative,” saying Chinese coast guard and suspected maritime militia ships staged aggressive maneuvers near the island. “We will not surrender a square inch of our territory to any foreign power,” he declared, emphasizing that Filipino forces and fishermen would continue to operate in Philippine waters.

In response, Beijing accused the Philippine vessels of “illegally entering Chinese waters” near Sandy Cay — known in China as Tiexian Reef — and claimed that its coast guard took “control measures in accordance with the law.” Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun asserted that one of the Philippine vessels “dangerously approached” a Chinese ship, leading to a “scrape,” and blamed Manila for the incident. He further warned the Philippines to “immediately stop infringement and harassment.”

The United States swiftly condemned what it called “China’s aggressive actions in defiance of international law.” US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson praised the Filipino personnel involved for their “tremendous valor and skill,” reaffirming Washington’s support for its treaty ally.

Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan vowed that the harassment would not deter Filipino forces from their duties. “Filipino fisherfolk depend on these waters,” he said. “Neither water cannons nor ramming will stop us from defending our territory.”

Thitu Island, the largest of the nine Philippine-occupied features in the Spratly Islands, lies about 20 kilometers from Subi Reef — one of China’s artificial island bases equipped with missile systems and a runway. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling invalidating China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea, Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over nearly the entire waterway, defying the Philippines and its allies.