On Thursday, the People's Armed Police (PAP) announced the recipients of its "Loyal Guards of the Chinese People's Armed Police" honor, including Yi Xinyu, 21, and Cheng Long, 25, two China Coast Guard officers who died during a "maritime rights protection operation in the South China Sea on August 11, 2025." The collision severely damaged the bow of their vessel. While speculation about fatalities had circulated, Beijing had not previously confirmed any deaths. Both officers, from Shandong province, were also posthumously awarded a first-class merit citation, one of China's highest honors for military and paramilitary service. The China Coast Guard has been under PAP command since 2018.