On Tuesday, July 21st, 2026, the Philippines and China exchanged accusations following a physical confrontation in the South China Sea near the Second Thomas Shoal. Video footage posted online by the Philippines Coast Guard showed Filipino and Chinese personnel briefly engaging each other from inflatable boats. The Philippines accused China of assaulting one of its navy staff.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated that a China Coast Guard inflatable boat unlawfully approached a Philippine outpost at the shoal, circling and taking photos. This prompted two AFP rubber boats to calmly and non-confrontationally drive the Chinese vessel away. However, the AFP claimed that personnel from the Chinese Coast Guard Vessel (CCGV) reacted violently by striking a Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton, causing injury. The AFP described these actions as aggressive and a blatant disregard for safety that endangers lives and escalates tensions.

Conversely, China’s Coast Guard accused Philippine personnel of initiating "malicious attacks" using oars, long sticks, and other tools. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Manila of deliberately creating the impression of a "small versus big" confrontation to spread false narratives of China "bullying the weak" and "intimidating its neighbors."

Before the incident, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed a desire to expand cooperation and foster a peaceful and secure China-ASEAN community. However, a spokesperson also voiced concern about destabilising and dangerous conduct in the South China Sea, referencing actions by Chinese vessels towards Philippine vessels witnessed the previous morning.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes continue to provoke confrontations between claimant nations.

Sources