A Chinese coast guard boat collided with a Philippine Navy rubber patrol boat near the contested Second Thomas Shoal, where a Chinese crew member struck a Philippine sailor in the head with a wooden baton, injuring him and damaging the Philippine boat, Reuters reported on July 20. Manila says the Chinese boat rammed the Philippine vessel after refusing orders to withdraw, while Beijing says the Philippine boats surrounded and rammed its patrol craft and attacked first with paddles and poles.

The encounter is the first reported violent confrontation in the broader China-Philippines maritime dispute since December 2025, when Chinese vessels water-cannoned Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal, injuring three fishermen and damaging two boats. During that lull, China increased coast guard and military activity around disputed features as the Philippines expanded patrols with the United States.