Philippine president summons Chinese ambassador after soldier injured at Ayungin Shoal

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on July 21 following an incident the previous day in which a Filipino soldier was injured during a confrontation with China Coast Guard personnel at Ayungin Shoal. The meeting marks the first time Marcos has summoned Jing since the ambassador arrived in Manila in December 2025.

Marcos had previously summoned Jing's predecessor over an earlier incident involving lasers directed at Philippine Coast Guard vessels.

20, a Filipino soldier stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre sustained a gash after China Coast Guard personnel struck him with a wooden baton, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported. The China Coast Guard vessel had anchored near the Philippine ship and deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat with eight personnel who circled the BRP Sierra Madre taking photographs and video.

Philippine forces responded by sending two rubber boats carrying seven soldiers to direct the China Coast Guard vessel to leave. A melee ensued when the China Coast Guard personnel refused to depart. Beijing stated the confrontation occurred during a routine patrol and accused Manila of instigating the incident and deliberate provocation.

Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which China does not recognize.

The United States State Department condemned China's actions in a statement released early July 21, calling on Beijing to cease destabilizing conduct and reaffirming support for the 2016 ruling. Australian Ambassador to Manila Marc Innes-Brown posted on social media that Canberra remains concerned about dangerous conduct in the South China Sea.