China's PLA Navy, Coast Guard increase coordination in South China Sea

China's People's Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard intensified coercive actions in the South China Sea last year by altering their deployment patterns and increasing coordination.

According to a Philippine Navy report, these changes indicate Beijing's readiness to escalate tensions in the disputed waters.

The report noted that Chinese forces maintained a more consistent and predictable presence closer to contested areas in 2025.

This shift signals a move from intermittent support to a persistent deterrent posture by Chinese maritime forces.

The Philippines and China have an ongoing dispute over the South China Sea, with Beijing claiming almost the entire area based on its nine-dash line map, which was invalidated by a 2016 arbitral ruling.