Collision Between Chinese Ships in South China Sea

On Monday, two Chinese vessels crashed into one another in the South China Sea while trying to intimidate the Philippine Coast Guard, as captured in video footage.

The incident unfolded when a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship, identified as vessel 3104, was in pursuit of the Philippine patrol boat BRP Suruan. According to Jay Taliella, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as the CCG ship closed in, it ended up colliding with a larger Chinese naval destroyer that had intervened to shield the Philippine vessel.

“The CCG 3104 conducted dangerous maneuvers near the Philippine ship, ultimately causing significant damage,” the spokesman stated. He added that this incident rendered the CCG ship less operational due to the damage sustained.

Videos circulating on social media show the aftermath of this confrontation. The PCG shared recordings revealing the extent of the hull damage on both Chinese ships following the collision.

After the crash, the Philippine Coast Guard assisted in retrieving crew members who had fallen overboard and provided medical aid to injured personnel from the CCG.

In a statement, Taliella emphasized the commitment of the Philippine Coast Guard to safeguard maritime operations in the area, hoping for the swift recovery of those affected from the CCG.