Coast Guard Patrol Boat Collides With Philippine Vessels In South China Sea Incident

A confrontation occurred near China’s Ren’ai Jiao on July 20 involving a China Coast Guard patrol boat and two rubber boats sent by the Philippines’ BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57).

At around 9:00 a.m., the China Coast Guard said its patrol boat was conducting a routine patrol in waters near Ren’ai Jiao when the two rubber boats approached, encircled, and rammed into the patrol boat.

During the incident, the China Coast Guard said Philippine personnel used oars, long sticks, and other tools against Chinese law enforcement personnel.

The Chinese side said it used verbal warnings, collision-avoiding maneuvers, and proportional countermeasures to control the situation while exercising maximum rationality and restraint.

After the incident, the China Coast Guard said the Philippine side distorted facts and made false accusations. It stated that it would continue law enforcement activities in Nansha Qundao and surrounding waters, including Ren’ai Jiao.