China Coast Guard Expels Philippine Vessels from Scarborough Shoal

The China Coast Guard expelled several Philippine vessels from the waters off Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea on February 21, 2026. The confrontation began around midday when Philippine ships entered the area, where they allegedly performed dangerous maneuvers by crossing the paths of patrolling Chinese ships and photographing vessels.

After the Philippine ships ignored verbal warnings, the China Coast Guard deployed water cannon sprays and implemented navigation route control to force the vessels away. The Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 was also observed loitering in the vicinity during the encounter.

The China Coast Guard characterized the Philippine presence as a performance conducted under the pretext of escort and rights protection. The agency stated that its actions were rational and compliant with international law.