Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Philippines, China Clash Over South China Sea Resupply Mission
The Philippines sends ships to bring supplies and replace troops at a disputed shoal.
The troops live aboard an old warship that was deliberately grounded there.
Philippine officials said Chinese ships blocked the latest mission.
They said the Chinese vessels moved dangerously close to a Philippine ship.
Nobody was injured and there was no collision.
However, the mission could not be finished.
China said the Philippines ignored warnings and that Chinese forces monitored the vessel.
The incident happened despite an agreement intended to reduce confrontations during these missions.
The Philippines accused Chinese vessels of obstructing a resupply mission to troops at Second Thomas Shoal.
The Philippine Coast Guard said China Coast Guard and naval vessels made dangerous maneuvers near a Philippine ship.
No collision or injuries were reported, but the mission was not completed.
China said the Philippines ignored warnings and that its forces conducted monitoring and issued verbal warnings.
The incident was described as the first publicly known obstruction since a provisional 2024 resupply agreement.
- Who
- The Philippine government and coast guard accused the China Coast Guard and the People’s Liberation Army Navy; China Coast Guard spokesperson Jiang Lue rejected the Philippine account.
- What
- Chinese vessels allegedly obstructed a Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal.
- When
- The incident occurred on Thursday, September 24, and Philippine officials issued statements on Friday, September 25.
- Where
- At or near Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.
- Why
- The Philippines was supplying troops and rotating personnel at its outpost; China opposes the continued Philippine presence there.
Philippine Account
Chinese Account
Responsibility for the disruption
Philippine Account
The Philippines said Chinese coast guard and naval vessels interfered with a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation and put Filipino personnel at risk.
Chinese Account
China said the Philippines ignored Beijing’s warnings before sending the resupply vessel.
Conduct at sea
Philippine Account
The Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese vessels carried out dangerous maneuvers and came within close range, creating a serious risk of collision.
Chinese Account
China said its forces responded with on-site monitoring and verbal warnings; no further Chinese description of the maneuvers was provided.
Future operations
Philippine Account
The Philippines called on China to stop interfering and said it would continue operations and exercise its sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
Chinese Account
China opposes the continued Philippine presence at Second Thomas Shoal and has repeatedly called for the removal of Philippine vessels.
- Location
- Second Thomas Shoal, South China Sea
- Reported conduct
- The Philippines said Chinese vessels made dangerous maneuvers and approached a Philippine ship closely.
- Casualties
- No collision or injuries were reported.
- Mission outcome
- The Philippine rotation and resupply mission was not completed.
- Chinese account
- China said the Philippines ignored warnings and that Chinese forces conducted on-site monitoring and issued verbal warnings.
- 2024 arrangement
- Manila and Beijing reached a provisional arrangement governing resupply missions in July 2024.
- Earlier missions
- A Philippine official said 15 missions had succeeded without incident since the arrangement was reached.
- Philippine outpost
- Philippine troops are stationed aboard a World War II-era vessel deliberately grounded in 1999.
