Chinese Missile Frigate “Binzhou” Nearly Collides With Philippine Navy Ship In South China Sea

A Chinese warship harassed a Philippine Naval Vessel near Thitu, the largest Philippine island in the disputed archipelago, which is claimed by dozens of neighbouring countries, including China.

Manila called the incident, which occurred close to the Spratly Islands, ‘hazardous’.

It involved the Philippine vessel BRP Benguet (LS507), a World War II-era landing ship tank and China’s Type 054A-class guided-missile frigate Binzhou (532).

Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the Chinese ship used an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre”.

The Philippine vessel’s crew had to adjust their course to avoid colliding with Binzhou.

This is the second encounter this month between the two countries’ ships in the contested waters.

In the first incident, which happened at the beginning of March, a Chinese warship used fire control radar against the Philippine frigate close to Sabina Shoal.

In the last few years, the region has witnessed several incidents of Chinese ships harassing Philippine vessels by using water cannons and other non-kinetic methods.

The Philippine Naval Ships routinely sail in the waters, carrying resupplies and personnel to the country’s westernmost islands.

China lays claim to these islands in the South China Sea and targets Manila’s ships, especially near the Sabina and Second Thomas Shoals.

In 2023 and 2024, the Chinese Coast Guard intercepted dozens of Philippine Military Resupply Missions to the Marine outpost aboard BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) at Second Thomas Shoal.

Tensions led to a physical encounter between Philippine Navy SEALs and Chinese personnel, with the U.S. ordering its forces to deploy in support of Manila, if required.