Overview

• The Chinese military reported driving away the Philippine corvette Apolinario Mabini from Scarborough Shoal on April 20, 2025.
• China's Southern Theater Command accused the Philippine vessel of violating Chinese sovereignty and laws during the encounter.
• The incident marks a rare direct confrontation between the militaries of China and the Philippines, which typically involve coast guard forces.
• Scarborough Shoal remains a critical flash point in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims fuel ongoing disputes.
• The Philippine embassy in China has not yet commented on the Chinese navy's statement regarding the incident.