New Southbound Policy Portal

MOFA response to August 11 collision between a Chinese PLA destroyer and a coast guard cutter while in pursuit of Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Suluan near Scarborough Shoal

From Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, MOFA 2025-08-14

We express serious concern about PRC activity surrounding the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea which endangers Philippine maritime personnel & undermines regional peace & stability!

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expresses grave concern over the recent incident in the South China Sea near the Scarborough Shoal, during which a People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer and a China Coast Guard cutter conducted dangerous maneuvers while in pursuit of a Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel. This aggressive act seriously disrupted regional peace and stability and directly endangered the lives and safety of Philippine coast guard personnel.

MOFA is closely following ongoing disputes over islands in the South China Sea and urges all parties to exercise restraint. China, in particular, should not take any actions to escalate the current situation, jeopardize the lives and safety of seafarers, and undermine peace, stability, and the status quo in the South China Sea.

MOFA reiterates that South China Sea issues can only be peacefully resolved through appropriate multilateral dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms. Taiwan and other like-minded countries will continue to monitor developments in the South China Sea and work together to uphold regional security and stability.