China Coast Guard spots Philippine Coast Guard discarding objects in South China Sea

China Coast Guard (CCG) on Monday spotted unidentified objects being thrown from a Philippine Coast Guard vessel into the South China Sea.

Footage released by the Chinese social media account Yuyuan Tantian shows the objects were discarded from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4411 into waters near China's Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

The entire process was monitored and recorded in real-time by the CCG.

The 24th Chinese Peacekeeping Contingent to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a solemn flag-raising ceremony in their barracks on Tuesday, the first day of the 2026 Chinese New Year, conveying warm wishes to fellow Chinese people and hope for regional peace.

In the early morning of Tuesday, the barracks of the Chinese peacekeeping forces were filled with a festive atmosphere, with red lanterns and couplets adorning the grounds, contrasting beautifully with the blue helmets symbolizing the peacekeeping mission.

As the anthem of the United Nations, the national anthem of Lebanon, and the national anthem of China were played in succession, the UN flag, the Lebanese national flag, and the Chinese national flag were slowly hoisted, with all officers and soldiers facing the flags and solemnly saluting.

The 24th Chinese peacekeeping contingent consists of a multi-functional engineering unit, a construction engineering unit, and a medical unit.

Since its deployment in Lebanon in December last year, the Chinese peacekeeping force has been working on the front lines of mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal, engineering construction, and medical assistance, safeguarding region peace and stability with its professionalism and dedication, and winning high recognition from the United Nations and the Lebanese people.

Speaking after the flag-raising ceremony, Chinese peacekeeper Liu Jia reflected on the significance of celebrating the Spring Festival while on mission.

"On the first day of the Chinese New Year, we organized a flag-raising ceremony in a foreign land. We feel both deeply honored by our mission and are keenly aware of the responsibility on our shoulders. Although we couldn't have a reunion with our families back at home during the Spring Festival, safeguarding regional peace and bringing glory to our motherland makes this Chinese New Year holiday the most meaningful for us. In the new year, we will firmly keep in mind our mission, live up to our responsibilities, and successfully fulfill all tasks. We wish our motherland prosperity and strength, and we wish all fellow Chinese people a happy Spring Festival," said Liu.

Over the past 19 years, Chinese peacekeeping contingent to the UNIFIL has cleared about 2 million square meters of suspected minefields, discovered and destroyed more than 18,000 landmines and unexplored ordnance, repaired 320 kilometers of roads, and provided medical assistance to more than 90,000 people.