China Confirms 2 Deaths in Scarborough Shoal Crash During Philippine Ship Chase China's recent announcement that two coastguard personnel died in a vessel collision during a "maritime rights protection operation" last year offers a glimpse into the human cost of Beijing's aggressive maritime ambitions.
The People's Armed Police (PAP) has posthumously honored Yi Xinyu and Cheng Long, who were killed in the crash on August 11, 2025.
The collision occurred during a confrontation with a Philippine ship near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory in the South China Sea.