China confirms 2 sailors died in 2025 South China Sea collision
Beijing has quietly confirmed the deaths of two Chinese sailors in a collision in the contested South China Sea, according to government statements nearly a year after the incident. Last August, a Chinese navy vessel collided with one from its own coast guard while chasing a Philippine patrol boat near a disputed shoal, video footage […]
Beijing has officially acknowledged the deaths of two Chinese sailors in a 2025 collision within the South China Sea, according to government statements almost a year post-incident. The incident occurred on August 11, 2025, when a Chinese Navy vessel collided with a Chinese Coast Guard ship while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat near a disputed shoal.
Both sailors, Yi Xinyu, aged 21, and Cheng Long, aged 25, lost their lives during what the government referred to as a "rights defense operation." The Philippine Coast Guard has consistently called for the Chinese government to adhere to COLREGS and maintain professionalism in handling such matters.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press - China's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
