Why is a Chinese research ship the latest flashpoint with Philippines in South China Sea?

Beijing and Manila trade accusations after incident near Iroquois Reef in the Spratly Islands this week3-MIN READ3-MIN1ListenPublished: 6:36pm, 8 May 2026Beijing and Manila have traded barbs over a Chinese research vessel near a disputed South China Sea reef, with each warning of further countermeasures, a sign of lingering tensions between the two rival claimants.In a statement issued on Thursday night, China-coast-guard" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="124090" data-entity-type="organization">China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman Jiang Lue said a Philippine Coast Guard Islander aircraft had “deliberately approached and harassed” China’s Xiang Yang Hong 33 scientific research vessel on Wednesday while the ship was conducting a “legitimate marine ecological survey” near Iroquois Reef.Claimed by China as Houteng Reef and known as Rozul Reef in the Philippines, the feature is at the southern end of Reed Bank in the contested Spratly Islands, an area believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.01:36China slams Japan’s first overseas missile launch in 80 yearsChina slams Japan’s first overseas missile launch in 80 yearsJiang said the Chinese side tracked and monitored the Philippine aircraft and handled the situation “in accordance with laws and regulations”, with manoeuvres that were “professional and standardised throughout the whole process”.