Video shows Chinese ships colliding in South China Sea

Newly released video from the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard cutter striking a Chinese Navy destroyer Monday during a high-speed chase of a Philippine patrol ship near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The footage depicts the cutter bearing down while spraying water before the destroyer moves between the Philippine ship and the Chinese cutter.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the Chinese cutter was pursuing the BRP Suluan when it executed a risky turn and hit the larger Chinese destroyer, leaving the smaller ship unseaworthy.

What do the videos show?

Video posted by Tarriela captures the Chinese cutter tailing the Philippine ship and firing a water cannon before the destroyer moved between the Philippine ship and the Chinese cutter. The clip shows crumpling to the forward part of the cutter below the deck. Tarriela said a few sailors were visible on the cutter’s bow moments before the crash, but it was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.

How did the Philippines and China explain the encounter?

Tarriela said Philippine patrol boats were escorting dozens of fishing vessels when Chinese ships blocked their approach to the shoal and fired water cannons. He added that the Philippines routinely urges China to follow collision-prevention rules and offered man-overboard and medical assistance after the crash. The Philippine Department of National Defense later condemned China’s actions, characterizing them as “atrocious and inane.”

China did not address the collision in statements cited by the reports but accused the Philippines of ignoring warnings and “forcibly intruding” into waters near the shoal. China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said patrols “took all necessary measures,” including tracking, monitoring, blocking and controlling, to drive Philippine vessels away.

Why is Scarborough Shoal a flash point?

Scarborough Shoal — called Bajo de Masinloc by the Philippines and Huangyan Dao by China — sits inside the broader South China Sea dispute, where overlapping claims and frequent patrols have fueled repeated confrontations. 

Philippine officials say China has placed more ships off the country’s western coast over the past year, prompting Manila to publicize incidents and deepen coordination with allies.

What is the recent backdrop to rising tensions?

Hostilities between Manila and Beijing have intensified in recent months as China presses expansive maritime claims and the Philippines steps up challenges at sea. 

The exchange followed a separate political flare-up last week when Beijing criticized Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for remarks about potential conflict over Taiwan. Marcos later said his comments were misinterpreted while reaffirming that such a war would inevitably affect the Philippines.