China Confirms Deaths Of 2 Coast Guards After Collision Near Disputed Scarborough Shoal

China has officially confirmed that two coast guard personnel died during a maritime operation near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in August 2025, months after a collision between a China Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese Navy warship during an encounter involving a Philippine Coast Guard ship.

The People’s Armed Police (PAP), which controls the China Coast Guard, honoured officers Yi Xinyu and Cheng Long on Thursday as recipients of the “Loyal Guards of the Chinese People’s Armed Police” award, according to Chinese state media.

The two officers were also given posthumous first-class merit citations. Official records showed that Yi, 21, and Cheng, 25, died on August 11, 2025, during a “maritime rights protection operation in the South China Sea”.

The announcement was the first official confirmation from Beijing that the incident resulted in deaths.

The fatalities occurred on the same day that the China Coast Guard cutter Nanyu collided with the Chinese Navy’s Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Guilin near Scarborough Shoal.

The collision happened as Chinese vessels were manoeuvring while pursuing Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Suluan near the disputed shoal.

The impact caused heavy damage to the bow of the China Coast Guard vessel. Images released by Philippine state broadcaster PTV showed the front section of the ship badly damaged.

At the time, Chinese authorities accused the Philippines of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” but did not disclose any casualties.

The Philippine government denied responsibility for the collision and described it as an “unfortunate outcome”.

Reuters reported on August 27 that satellite images showed the damaged Chinese coast guard vessel was undergoing repairs at Hainan Island.

First confirmed Chinese deaths in South China Sea clash since 2001

The deaths of Yi and Cheng appear to be the first officially acknowledged Chinese fatalities from a South China Sea confrontation since 2001.

In April 2001, Chinese fighter pilot Wang Wei died after his aircraft collided with a U.S. reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea. The incident led to a diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Washington.

China and the United States blamed each other for the collision. Washington later issued a statement expressing regret, while Beijing released the 24 U.S. crew members it had detained on Hainan island.

The incident contributed to growing tensions between the two countries over military activity in the region.

Scarborough Shoal remains a key dispute

Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, remains one of the main points of tension between Beijing and Manila.

China claims sovereignty over most islands and maritime features in the South China Sea. Its claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

China has increased its activities around Scarborough Shoal in recent years through more coast guard patrols and scientific expeditions. Beijing also released its own territorial sea baselines around the feature in 2024.

The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping areas, with major commercial routes connecting Asian economies with global markets.

Tensions between China and Philippines

Tensions between the two countries have continued to rise in recent weeks.

On July 24, Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons against Philippine government vessels near Scarborough Shoal. It was the third maritime incident between the two sides that week.

A few days earlier, on July 20, Chinese and Philippine vessels clashed near Second Thomas Shoal, known as Renai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines. The incident injured one Philippine sailor.

Last month, Manila submitted its official nautical chart for Scarborough Shoal to the United Nations. The chart outlined the Philippines’ claims over the shoal’s territorial sea baseline, including the limits of its 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone.

China responded with naval and air drills and coast guard patrols around Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army.

China also released rules for a nature reserve established around the reef last year. The regulations call for regular patrols and ban unauthorised fishing, mining and harvesting of corals and giant clams.

China has often kept details of military casualties from public view.

After a deadly border clash with India in 2020, Beijing waited about eight months before releasing its first account of Chinese troops who died in the confrontation.

References: SCMP, Livemint