China Sends Pointed Message with South China Sea Flag-Raising

An aerial view of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in February 2025. (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.”

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