Second Thomas Shoal

China has formally protested to the Philippines following a clash near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident involved a Chinese coastguard vessel and two Philippine Navy rubber dinghies launched from the BRP Sierra Madre, which was grounded in 1999.

China and the Philippines have exchanged accusations following an incident in the South China Sea near Second Thomas Shoal involving their vessels, which resulted in a sailor being injured. The dispute highlights tensions over maritime claims in the region.

Chinese and Philippine maritime forces clashed at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The China Coast Guard accused the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre of illegally launching rubber dinghies during a patrol. The BRP Sierra Madre is a Philippine Navy vessel grounded on the shoal.

The Philippine military condemned Chinese coast guard personnel for violently injuring a Filipino sailor and damaging his vessel near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident, captured on video, occurred as Chinese coast guard boats approached the Philippines' BRP Sierra Madre, a ship deliberately grounded at the shoal to assert territorial claims.

The Philippines is actively expanding military infrastructure on Thitu Island and Nanshan Island in the disputed Spratly Islands, including a runway extension and port construction to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea. The 1.5-kilometer runway extension, funded at 1.65 billion pesos, will accommodate F-16 fighter jets and is in response to Chinese escalations in the region. Satellite imagery confirms construction has been ongoing since early 2025.

The Philippines accuses China of conducting illegal marine research near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. A standoff occurred between Philippine Coast Guard personnel and China Coast Guard ships during a resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre, with both nations claiming the shoal and surrounding Spratly Islands.