China confirms 2 deaths in Scarborough Shoal crash during Philippine ship chase

China has officially confirmed the deaths of two coastguard personnel in a devastating ship collision that occurred in the South China Sea last year. The tragic incident took place on August 11, 2025, during a maritime rights protection operation near the contested Scarborough Shoal. The two fallen officers, identified as Yi Xinyu and Cheng Long, both from Shandong province, were posthumously honored by the People's Armed Police on Thursday.

The collision between the China Coast Guard cutter Nanyu and the Chinese Navy Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Guilin resulted in significant damage to the latter's bow. Despite initial speculation, Beijing had not previously acknowledged any fatalities in the incident. The two coastguards were awarded a first-class merit citation, one of China's highest honors for exceptional military and paramilitary service.

The South China Sea has been a source of territorial disputes between China and the Philippines, with both nations laying claim to various islands, reefs, and maritime features in the region. The collision at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, has heightened tensions between the two countries.

The Philippines has recently filed its official nautical chart defining its territorial sea and other maritime claims in the contested area, further complicating the already complex situation.