China Sends Pointed Message with South China Sea Flag-Raising

ASEAN and China move to advance a South China Sea Code of Conduct ahead of the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship, key disputes still hanging.
An aerial view of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in February 2025. ASEAN and China move to advance a South China Sea Code of Conduct ahead of the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship, key disputes still hanging. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP)

The Chinese Coast Guard held a flag-raising ceremony to mark China’s National Day off the Scarborough Shoal, a zone in the South China Sea also claimed by the Philippines. The ceremony, which was broadcast on the state TV channel CCTV and social media, seemed designed to hook China’s territorial claims in the region to larger patriotic messaging.

The ceremony was held on the deck of the patrol vessel Dahao 3304 off the disputed atoll. Footage on the social media site Douyin showed officers standing in formation as the flag is raised, with subtitles reading: “We stand guard over these blue waters, assuring the nation of our unwavering commitment.”

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by CGSP Staff

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
5 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
6
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors

You Might Like

How Chinese Maritime Forces Tried to Blockade a Philippines Re-Supply Mission in the South China Sea

In this image taken by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), seven Chinese vessels, including unmarked “maritime militia” ships, surrounded a pair of PCG ships during a re-supply mission on Friday.

China May Deploy Navy in Spats With Philippines in South China Sea, Chinese Analysts Say

Weeks of steadily escalating confrontations between the coast guards of China and the Philippines in the South China Sea culminated on Tuesday with Chinese analysts saying Beijing may deploy navy ships in future ...

Philippines Accuses China of ‘Dangerous Manoeuvres’ in South China Sea

The Philippines asked China to cease “dangerous maneuvers and aggressive actions” in the South China Sea, as Beijing controversially brought out a navy ship into the disputed waters and tensions continued ...

Philippines-China Rail Cooperation In Crosshairs as Maritime Tensions Escalate

The Philippines is in a juggling act as tensions with Beijing escalate in the South China Sea but the countries remain engaged in multiple infrastructure projects. The two sides recently updated a Belt ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP
IP: Detecting...
Cookie Exists: Checking...
Cookie Value: Checking...

[ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS] Due to the Chinese New Year holiday, the daily newsletter will be published on Mon/Wed/Fri only. Full service resumes next week. 新年快乐！

Got it!
X