On May 21, 2025, a significant maritime incident occurred near Sandy Cay in the South China Sea, escalating tensions between the Philippines and China. A Chinese Coast Guard vessel reportedly fired water cannons and sideswiped the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Sanday during a marine research mission. The incident caused damage to the vessel’s port bow and smokestack, endangering the lives of civilian personnel on board. This marks the first time water cannons have been used against BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-asa Cays. YouTube+10GMA Network+10Al Jazeera+10AP News+2AP News+2GMA Network+2
The Philippines condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions as “aggressive interference,” emphasizing that the incident occurred within the Philippines’ territorial sea near Thitu Island (Pagasa). China, however, accused the Philippine vessels of illegally entering its waters and ignoring warnings, asserting that the vessels approached dangerously close to the Chinese ship, leading to the collision. GMA Network+6AP News+6AP News+6
The United States has expressed support for the Philippines, with U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson criticizing China’s actions as reckless and threatening to regional stability. This incident is expected to be a focal point at the upcoming ASEAN summit in Malaysia, where discussions on a nonaggression code of conduct between China and ASEAN nations are anticipated. AP News
For a visual account of the incident, you can watch the following news coverage:
