China Expels Philippine Vessels from Scarborough Shoal Waters

China's coast guard expelled Philippine vessels from the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea after the Philippine boats ignored warnings, describing the operation as "professional, standardized, legitimate and legal." During the confrontation, Manila reported that a Chinese navy vessel collided with a Chinese coastguard vessel while pursuing a Philippine patrol boat, resulting in significant damage to the Chinese coastguard ship. The Philippine coastguard was escorting boats distributing aid to fishermen in the area at the time, and the Chinese crew did not respond to offers of assistance. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where China claims nearly the entire area despite international rulings and competing claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The Philippine embassy in China has not yet responded to inquiries about the incident. This latest clash highlights the fragile maritime security situation in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.