Philippines Warns Chinese Research Ship in Disputed South China Sea Waters
The Philippine Coast Guard issued radio warnings to a Chinese research ship operating near the disputed Spratly Islands.
MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard said it deployed aircraft to warn a Chinese research vessel operating in a disputed area of the South China Sea, where numerous vessels from Beijing's so-called maritime militia were also present.
The Xiang Yang Hong 33, capable of supporting submersible craft, was detected near Iroquois Reef in the Spratly Islands chain, which are contested among several nations.
The research ship was seen deploying a service boat toward the reef on Wednesday when spotted by a Coast Guard plane, confirming ongoing unauthorized marine scientific research activities, according to a Coast Guard statement.
The Spratly Islands, located at the southern end of Reed Bank and believed to hold significant reserves of natural gas and oil, have been a point of contention.
The presence of 41 maritime militia vessels anchored around Iroquois Reef and near Thitu Island, home to about 400 Filipinos and recently reinforced with a new Coast Guard station, further escalated concerns.
The Philippine Coast Guard emphasized that it has not granted consent for any such research activities in these waters, stating that the Chinese ship’s presence and the large-scale gathering of maritime militia vessels infringe on Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime areas.
In response, Beijing's embassy in Manila cited China's historic claims to the islands and reefs in question and stated that scientific research conducted by Chinese vessels adheres to international law.
The Xiang Yang Hong 33 has been continuously monitored conducting surveys near various Philippine-claimed features within the Spratly Islands, including Sabina Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Beijing and Manila over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Despite an international tribunal ruling against China's claim to nearly the entire sea, it continues asserting its sovereignty, deploying naval, coast guard, and maritime militia forces — sometimes disguised as fishing vessels — to challenge Philippine presence in strategically important areas of the disputed waterway.
The Xiang Yang Hong 33, capable of supporting submersible craft, was detected near Iroquois Reef in the Spratly Islands chain, which are contested among several nations.
The research ship was seen deploying a service boat toward the reef on Wednesday when spotted by a Coast Guard plane, confirming ongoing unauthorized marine scientific research activities, according to a Coast Guard statement.
The Spratly Islands, located at the southern end of Reed Bank and believed to hold significant reserves of natural gas and oil, have been a point of contention.
The presence of 41 maritime militia vessels anchored around Iroquois Reef and near Thitu Island, home to about 400 Filipinos and recently reinforced with a new Coast Guard station, further escalated concerns.
The Philippine Coast Guard emphasized that it has not granted consent for any such research activities in these waters, stating that the Chinese ship’s presence and the large-scale gathering of maritime militia vessels infringe on Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime areas.
In response, Beijing's embassy in Manila cited China's historic claims to the islands and reefs in question and stated that scientific research conducted by Chinese vessels adheres to international law.
The Xiang Yang Hong 33 has been continuously monitored conducting surveys near various Philippine-claimed features within the Spratly Islands, including Sabina Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Beijing and Manila over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Despite an international tribunal ruling against China's claim to nearly the entire sea, it continues asserting its sovereignty, deploying naval, coast guard, and maritime militia forces — sometimes disguised as fishing vessels — to challenge Philippine presence in strategically important areas of the disputed waterway.
