On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Beijing summoned the Philippine ambassador to China over a maritime encounter that occurred the previous day near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a statement from China's foreign ministry.

The incident involved personnel from the Philippine Navy and the China Coast Guard (CCG) clashing near the grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre. The CCG claimed that two rubber boats sent by the Philippines rammed a Chinese patrol boat and that Philippine personnel launched "malicious attacks" on Chinese law enforcement officers using oars and long sticks. China's foreign ministry described the Philippines' actions as "egregious in nature".

Conversely, Manila accused Beijing of aggressively striking one of its navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton during the encounter and reported damage to one of its navy rubber boats.

In a separate statement on July 21, the CCG said China allowed the Philippine side to transfer the injured personnel via small shuttle boats from the grounded warship "out of humanitarian consideration." CCG spokesperson Jiang Lue stated, "The CCG inquired and verified the Philippine boats, and monitored the whole process," adding that China will continue to conduct "rights-protection and law-enforcement operations" near the Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippines embassy in Beijing had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the Chinese statements.

Sources