A Chinese Navy vessel conducts a dangerous manoeuvre in front of a Philippine Navy transport ship.

13 October 2023, 5.8 nautical miles southwest of Thitu Island in the Spratly Islands.

The Philippine Navy transport ship was shadowed by a PLA Navy vessel. The Chinese vessel then attempted to cut closely across the bow of the transport ship. The dangerous manoeuvre posed significant risks to maritime safety.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines released a statement two days after the event, calling on China to cease such dangerous manoeuvres and aggressive actions towards Philippine vessels.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry said that the Philippines’ illegal occupation of “Zhongye Island” has seriously violated China’s sovereignty and that it’s reasonable and lawful for Chinese warships to patrol the waters near the island.

Chinese military aircraft conduct dangerous manoeuvres and drop flares in the path of a Philippine military aircraft.

10 August 2024, in airspace over the Scarborough Shoal.

Two PLA Air Force aircraft executed dangerous manoeuvres and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippine Department of National Defense released a statement and imagery. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr condemned the PLA Air Force’s ‘dangerous and provocative actions’.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry claimed not to be aware of the incident. Other Chinese commentators said that the Philippines had disrupted PLA training and accused Manila of ‘illegally intruding’ into its airspace.

A PLA Navy helicopter flies within three metres of a Philippine patrol plane.

18 February 2025, in airspace over the Scarborough Shoal.

A Chinese military helicopter came within three metres of a Cessna Caravan turboprop plane belonging to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Journalists and other invited foreign media on board the Philippine plane witnessed the tense 30-minute stand-off between China and the Philippines.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries described China’s actions as ‘dangerous flight maneuvers’ and said that they remain ‘committed to asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights and maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, despite the aggressive and escalatory actions of China’.

In response, the Chinese military reportedly said that the plane had illegally entered the airspace of China’s Huangyan Island (China’s name for the Scarborough Shoal) without the PRC Government’s permission. It added that the Philippines had made a false accusation against China by calling China’s actions ‘dangerous’.

What: Chinese Navy and Coast Guard vessels harass a Philippine Navy patrol ship.

5 May 2025, in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal, within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

On 5 May, two Chinese Navy frigates and a China Coast Guard cutter engaged in coordinated harassment of the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio as it conducted routine patrols near Scarborough Shoal. The Chinese vessels reportedly executed aggressive manoeuvres at close range, with one frigate crossing the bow of the Philippine ship at high speed and a Coast Guard cutter shining a military-grade laser at the vessel’s bridge. Radio challenges and warnings were issued by the Chinese ships, claiming sovereignty over the area. The Philippine ship maintained course but was forced to manoeuvre defensively to avoid collision.

The Philippine Department of National Defense released imagery and condemned the incident, describing the actions as “dangerous and unprovoked.” They also lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing. Manila reaffirmed that Scarborough Shoal lies within its Exclusive Economic Zone under international law.

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry claimed the Chinese vessels were lawfully defending China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. It accused the Philippine Navy of trespassing and warned Manila against further “provocative acts.”

Chinese Navy and Coast Guard vessels collide after harassing a Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel.

11 August 2025, 10–12 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

On 11 August, Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel, BRP Suluan, was conducting an escort mission for Filipino fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal when it came under aggressive pursuit by Chinese Coast Guard and Navy vessels. As the Chinese Coast Guard cutter performed a high-speed turn, it inadvertently T-boned the side of the PLAN destroyer, leading to a severe collision. Several CCG personnel had been visible on the bow immediately before impact, and some may have been injured or killed, though Chinese authorities did not confirm casualty figures. The Philippine Coast Guard offered immediate assistance via radio, but received no response from the Chinese ships

Philippine authorities condemned the collision as dangerous and reckless. They reaffirmed the legitimacy of Suluan’s mission to assist fishermen and stressed that Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippine EEZ under international law. The Philippines lodged diplomatic protests and reiterated that Chinese behavior risked escalation and endangered lives.

Chinese Coast Guard and state media acknowledged the incident as part of normal enforcement operations to expel Philippine vessels alleged to be intruding near “China’s Huangyan Dao.” Chinese Government spokespersons accused the Philippines of provocation, claiming the Philippines vessel conducted dangerous cross-bow maneuvers and ignored repeated warnings.