Chinese and Philippine Troops Wage an Oar Fight in South China Sea Standoff

A confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea escalated into boat collisions and a physical fight involving oars and long poles, Reuters and the Global Times reported on July 21.

China stated the Philippine side initiated the incident by entering the area and ramming a Chinese patrol boat.

The Philippines rejected that account and accused Chinese personnel of attacking its service members. Manila said its forces did not start the confrontation and described Beijing’s version of events as false.

China’s Coast Guard also said it allowed the evacuation of an injured Philippine service member on humanitarian grounds.

Beijing said it would continue patrols around the disputed Nansha Islands and urged the Philippines to refrain from further activity in contested waters.

Chinese media released footage of the clash and claimed Philippine personnel aboard vessel No. 57 recorded the incident and transmitted the material through Starlink.

Chinese outlets also said that footage later released by the Philippines had been selectively edited. The Philippine side disputed Beijing’s broader account of the confrontation.

Earlier, a sharp escalation unfolded in the South China Sea near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, where Chinese vessels confronted Filipino fishing boats, prompting a rapid response from Philippine authorities.

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