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Exclusive video evidence exposes repeated Philippine attempts to stage incidents near China's Huangyan Dao

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Cao Siqi Published: Aug 17, 2025 03:38 PM

The provocative intrusion of Philippine Coast Guard and government vessels into waters near China's Huangyan Dao on August 11 was not an isolated incident but part of Manila's repeated provocations in the South China Sea. The Global Times on Sunday obtained exclusive photos and videos, which serve as evidence exposing two earlier instances of dangerous and unprofessional maneuvers by Philippine ships, revealing Manila as a habitual offender that deliberately stages incidents and undermines peace and stability in the region.

One incident took place in April, when the China Coast Guard (CCG) ship Chuanshan (Hull 3302) was conducting routine patrol missions in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao from April 6 to 7. At the time, the Chinese ship was repeatedly harassed by the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409, with the Philippine vessel executed multiple dangerous maneuvers, including crossing the bow of the CCG ship 3302 at close range in a clear act of provocation, severely disrupting the CCG's law enforcement activities, a source close to the matter told the Global Times on Sunday.

Video clips and photos viewed by the Global Times showed that in the morning of April 6, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 executed dangerous maneuvers by reversing course directly into the path of CCG ship 3302. Ignoring warnings from the Chinese side, the Philippine vessel crossed the bow of the CCG vessel twice more, with the closest distance narrowing to just two meters between the vessels. In an instance, the reversing Philippine vessel deliberately aligned its bow with that of the Chinese ship - a clear attempt to create a collision incident.

Another video clip showed that on April 7, the Philippine Coast Guard ship 4409 again harassed the CCG ship 3302, making dangerous moves such as crossing the Chinese vessel's bow.

Ultimately, decisive measures were taken by the Chinese side to expel the Philippine vessel, the source said.

A Philippine vessel attempted to stage another incident in waters east of China's Huangyan Dao on July 15. A video showed that the Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701 seemingly charging toward the CCG ship 21550 on a near-collision course. The Chinese ship narrowly avoided impact as the Philippine vessel passed dangerously close to its stern.

Following the incident on August 11, these videos and photos provide concrete evidence that Philippine vessels have been habitual offenders that not only violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, but also deliberately attempt to stage maritime incidents to escalate tensions in the South China Sea, experts said.

In response to foreign media reports claiming that a CCG vessel collided with a Chinese Navy warship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat in waters near Huangyan Dao, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said on Friday that on August 11, multiple Philippine Coast Guard and official vessels illegally entered the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao. CCG vessels lawfully responded with lawful measures, including monitoring, shadowing, blocking, and controlling to drive them away.

During this time, Philippine Coast Guard vessels repeatedly engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including high-speed incursions and sharp turns across the bow of Chinese vessels, creating a complex and tense situation at sea. These actions seriously violated China's sovereignty and rights, endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.

China demands that the Philippines immediately cease its provocative words and deeds, Jiang stressed. He reaffirmed that China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures and will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Videos exclusively obtained by the Global Times on Wednesday showed that the Philippine Coast Guard ship 4406 conducted highly dangerous maneuvers on Chinese law enforcement vessels during its intrusion into waters near China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea on August 11.

A maritime technology expert told the Global Times that the collision between the two Chinese vessels occurred primarily because the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4406 intruded into China's territorial waters around Huangyan Dao at high speed, repeatedly crossing the course of Chinese vessels and obstructing their navigation, which violated international rules. In the process of high-speed escorting, the Chinese vessels took evasive actions to avoid colliding with the Philippine ship, but the maneuver resulted in a collision incident.

Li Feng, an associate professor at Xiamen University's Research School for Southeast Asian Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday that since this year, Philippine patrol ships have for multiple times crossed CCG vessels' courses at speeds of 30 knots, creating dangerous situations, marking a significant escalation in their provocative moves.

Following the Philippines' first phase of illegal moves revolving around Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, characterized by attempts to permanently establish a military outpost on China's Ren'ai Jiao under the pretext of supplying its illegally grounded vessel, Manila is apparently moving toward a second phase, marked by attempts to copy its "supply strategy" to Huangyan Dao and make provocative moves under the guise of providing supplies to fishing ships, Li noted.

Chen Xidi, an expert at China Institute For Marine Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, told the Global Times on Sunday that in response to the Philippines' deliberate provocations, Chinese vessels and crews have demonstrated firm resolve in safeguarding sovereignty while exercising notable restraint. Despite clear advantages in tonnage and equipment, China has opted for low-intensity measures like verbal warnings and navigational maneuvers to expel intruding Philippine ships, avoiding escalation even under tension. This approach reflects China's sincere commitment to preventing maritime conflicts and upholding regional peace and stability.

In stark contrast, the Philippines has resorted to reckless maneuvers and malign intent under the guise of "fishery supply missions." Despite repeated Chinese warnings and goodwill, it has blatantly violated international law and infringed upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. Philippine vessels repeatedly conducted unprofessional actions, cutting across Chinese ships' bows, dangerous speeding, and abrupt turns, deliberately attempting to provoke collisions and escalate tensions at sea, Chen said.

Recent China-Philippines maritime interactions show China has consistently responded to provocations with restraint. However, the Marcos administration, prioritizing political gains over national interests, has squandered China's goodwill and deliberately chosen confrontation, even intentionally misinterpreting China's restraint as weakness for domestic propaganda, Chen said. "Manila must understand that while neighborly friendship is China's traditional virtue, patience has its limits. If the Philippines continues its South China Sea provocations, it alone will bear the consequences," he said.

Fox borrowing tiger's majesty

Two days after the August 11 incident, a US warship intruded into Chinese territorial waters near Huangyan Dao on August 13 without permission from the Chinese government. The navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command mobilized forces to monitor, warn and expel the US vessel, the USS Higgins destroyer, in accordance with laws and regulations, Senior Captain He Tiecheng, a spokesperson for the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command, said at the time.

The Global Times also obtained a set of photos from the source documenting how the USS Higgins was monitored, warned, and expelled by the Chinese side, including the Chinese warship 573.

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times that the US move exposes its opportunistic mentality, eager to stir up tensions while avoiding direct conflict with China, while the Philippines is like a fox seeking to borrow strength from a tiger. At its core, the US continues using the Philippines as a strategic pawn to provoke China, escalate South China Sea disputes and create chaos for its own gain.