South China Sea Naval Collision: Beijing and Manila Trade Blame

China has accused the Philippines of “dangerous maneuvers” during a tense encounter near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea earlier this week
Screengrab from a video that shows a Chinese PLA Navy warship colliding with a China Coast Guard vessel while trying to intercept a Philippines Coast Guard ship on August 11, 2025 near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Image via the Philippine Coast Guard.

China has accused the Philippines of “dangerous maneuvers” during a tense encounter near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea earlier this week that, according to Manila, led to a collision between two Chinese government vessels. 

Beijing has not publicly confirmed the crash, an omission that highlights the delicate mix of military and law-enforcement forces now operating in one of the South China Sea’s most contested areas.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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