In recent years, the Philippines has continued to friction near Yunnan Island. Philippine ships have often approached and tried to interfere. The Chinese maritime police have responded according to the rules every time, evicting the violating ships.

In August 2025, a ship of the Philippine Coast Guard shipped near a Chinese patrol vessel, resulting in a collision, and the Philippine side said their bodies were damaged and some people were injured.

On September 16, the Philippines organized more than a dozen ships to approach Huangyan Island from different directions, and the Chinese Marine Police used shouts and water cannons to control them.

One of the philippines, numbered 3014, ignored the warning and hit the Chinese naval guard ship directly. The video showed that the philippines were being evacuated during the process, and even had signs of raising a white flag, indicating surrender.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs later responded, saying that the responsibility lies entirely with the Philippines, and their provocations have undermined stability in the South China Sea.

On September 10, the Chinese government officially resumed the establishment of a national nature reserve on Huangshan Island, with a total area of more than 3,500 hectares, divided into core areas, buffer areas and experimental areas. The aim is to protect coral reefs and marine life and avoid pollution and overfishing.

The Philippines immediately protested, saying it "violated their rights and interests", and called for U.S. solidarity.The U.S. State Department spoke, expressing concern for the situation in the South China Sea, but no practical action.

China's Foreign Ministry responded on the 11th that the scope of the Philippine territory is determined by international treaties, and Yuan Rock Island has never been included, and does not accept their protests.

The protection zone was established not long ago, and it was on the 1st of October National Day.

The Chinese Marine Police organized a flag-raising ceremony in the waters of Huangyan Island to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Participating is the Dahao ship, hull number 3304. This ship has a displacement of 3,000 tons. It is a large law enforcement ship with advanced equipment and can cruise for a long time. At the ceremony, the marine police law enforcement officers lined up to salute, raised the five-star red flag, and vowed to protect the sea.

State media sent videos showing flags fluttering in the sea breeze with a blue ocean and reefs in the background. This activity is the first flag-raising since the establishment of the reserve, symbolizing China's jurisdiction over the island.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tariela posted that this was an illegal activity by China in the Western Philippine Sea, citing the 2016 arbitration award, saying that China had interfered with the traditional rights of Philippine fishermen and that the island did not create an exclusive economic zone.

However, the Philippines did not send ships to interfere with the ceremony, kept a distance and did not dare to approach.

On the one hand, China's maritime police strength is strong, the largest ship drainage of Daousefee is still large, the Philippine vessels are mostly under 2,600 tons, still Japanese. the gap is obvious, they do not dare to hard touch; on the other hand, the situation in the South China Sea is tense, but the recent actions of the Philippine side are not good.

In recent years, China has strengthened law enforcement in the South China Sea, and the southern theater of the navy has also increased drills, including ship maneuvers and electronic countermeasures, to raise vigilance. The Philippines relies on U.S. aid, but the United States has been busy with the Middle East and Ukraine recently and has no energy to go deep into the South China Sea.

After the flag-raising ceremony, the Chinese Marine Police continued to patrol normally. On October 12th, it drove away the invasion of Philippine ships on Tiexian Reef, using water cannons and control measures. The Philippine side accused China of collision and threat, but the Chinese Marine Police said that the operation was professional and the responsibility lies with the Philippines.

China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including iron-line reefs, and the Philippines behaves in violation of the Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Peace in the South China Sea depends on restraint by all parties. China advocates a settlement through negotiations, but resolutely safeguards its rights and interests. The Philippine national security adviser criticized China, but did not escalate his actions. The United States reiterated its support for Manila, but stayed rhetoric. The situation is stable and there is no major conflict.

References:

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