China Claims 'Reciprocal' Retaliation in Sea Clash With Philippines

The China Coast Guard said in a statement that it issued "verbal warnings" and "reciprocal countermeasures" against Philippine "personnel", rejecting an earlier account of the incident by Manila as a "complete reversal of the truth".

By : AFP

Update: 2026-07-20 16:29 GMT

In this photo, taken from video by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, China Coast Guard personnel, left, on rigid hull inflatable boat hits Philippine Navy personnel aboard a rubber boat using wooden batons at the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on Monday, July 20, 2026. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)

Beijing: China said on Monday it responded in kind during a maritime clash with the Philippines in waters near a grounded vessel that has long served as a Philippine garrison in the disputed South China Sea.

The China Coast Guard said in a statement that it issued "verbal warnings" and "reciprocal countermeasures" against Philippine "personnel", rejecting an earlier account of the incident by Manila as a "complete reversal of the truth".