Conflict & Security
US criticises China after reported clash with Philippine navy personnel
Washington condemned what it called dangerous and aggressive action by China after Chinese personnel were accused of injuring a Filipino sailor at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the United States condemned China's actions against Philippine navy personnel on July 20, 2026, and called on China to stop what he described as destabilising conduct. He said China's pattern of provocation against lawful Philippine maritime operations undermined regional peace and stability and conflicted with China's commitments to settle disputes peacefully.
The statement came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Manila on Tuesday for foreign ministers' talks with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Before departing, Rubio said he was open to a possible sideline meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.
The Philippine military accused the China Coast Guard of clubbing a Filipino sailor with a baton as Philippine personnel approached the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded vessel that has long served as a Philippine garrison in the disputed waters.
The Philippines said a Chinese boat carrying eight men had circled and taken images of the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly archipelago. The Philippine statement said the clash happened after two rubber boats were sent to drive away the Chinese group.
China claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its claim has no legal basis. The source said Chinese and Philippine vessels have frequently clashed in the area.
Update
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Manila on Tuesday to attend ASEAN foreign ministers' talks.
Rubio said before leaving that he was open to a possible sideline meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.
The Philippine military accused China Coast Guard personnel of clubbing a Filipino sailor with a baton.
The Philippines said a Chinese boat carrying eight men circled and photographed the BRP Sierra Madre before the clash.
The Philippines said two rubber boats were sent to drive away the Chinese group.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 00:12:52 UTC.
Update
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott issued the US statement.
The United States called on China to immediately cease what it described as destabilizing conduct.
The Philippine military accused the China Coast Guard of clubbing a Filipino sailor with a baton.
The alleged incident involved Philippine navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal on July 20, 2026.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 23:42:38 UTC.
Update
The United States criticized China over the sea clash with the Philippine navy and described China’s action as dangerous.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 23:28:09 UTC.
Update
The China Coast Guard said it took reciprocal countermeasures and issued verbal warnings.
China said the Philippine rubber boats approached dangerously and tried to encircle and ram a Chinese patrol boat.
The Philippine defence department said the encounter formed part of what it called provocative and hostile Chinese coast guard behaviour.
China accused the Philippines of distorting the facts.
The source adds that Manila filed a diplomatic protest on Friday over a video posted by Chinese state media portraying the Philippines as a cartoon monkey.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 12:06:43 UTC.
Update
The Philippine military said a Chinese rigid-hull inflatable boat carrying eight men circled the BRP Sierra Madre and took photos and video.
The military said two Philippine rubber boats were sent to drive the Chinese boat away before the clash.
The Philippine military said Chinese coast guard personnel struck a Philippine Navy sailor on the head with a wooden baton, injuring him and damaging a Navy rubber boat.
The Philippine defence department said the encounter added to what it called a pattern of provocative and hostile behavior by the Chinese coast guard.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Philippine foreign ministry said the countries' top diplomats would meet at a regional summit in Manila this week.
The source notes a June 2024 incident involving Chinese law enforcement personnel and Filipino troops near Second Thomas Shoal, a later provisional deal on resupply missions, and a recent Philippine diplomatic protest over a Chinese state media video.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 09:04:48 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The account of the sailor being clubbed is attributed to the Philippine military.
The source does not report China's response to the US statement in this item.
Source
AFP news report published on .