Damaged Chinese coast guard ship spotted in Hainan after collision
Satellite images show Chinese coast guard vessel CG3104 under repair at the Yulin naval base in Hainan after a collision earlier this month.
A Chinese coast guard ship badly damaged in a collision with a Chinese navy vessel has been confirmed back in port and under repair, according to new Maxar satellite images obtained by Reuters. The photos, taken August 21, show CG3104 with a crushed bow in dry dock at the Yulin naval base in Sanya, Hainan, flanked by tugboats.
Scarborough Shoal tensions
The collision occurred August 11 during a Philippine coast guard resupply mission for fishermen near Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint long claimed by Beijing as Huangyan Dao. It was the first recorded incident of Chinese vessels colliding in the area, amid intensifying maritime disputes.
Beijing has not officially commented on the crash. A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson instead accused Manila of provocation, while the Philippines’ foreign ministry called the incident an “unfortunate outcome.” Manila later published extensive video evidence.
Strategic implications
Scarborough Shoal remains one of the most contested areas of the South China Sea. A 2016 Hague arbitration ruling voided China’s sweeping claims and found its blockade of the shoal violated international law. Beijing rejected the verdict.
Security analysts note CG3104 had previously served as a navy corvette before being reassigned to the coast guard, explaining its return to a naval base for repairs. The Yulin complex, where it now sits, also houses Chinese aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines.