The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reported an increase in the number of Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). As of Tuesday, the number of CMM vessels has risen to 78 from 76, while the number of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels has remained at 13.
Meanwhile, there has been a noted decrease in Chinese warships, with the number of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels dropping from six (observed between June 25 to July 1) to three (observed between July 2 to 8).
The breakdown of Chinese vessels in the WPS is as follows:
- Bajo de Masinloc: 4 CCG vessels, 10 CMM vessels
- Ayungin Shoal: 6 CCG vessels, 2 PLAN vessels, 26 CMM vessels
- Pagasa Island: 1 CCG vessel, 22 CMM vessels
- Kota Island: 1 CMM vessel
- Panata Island: 16 CMM vessels
- Patag Island: 1 CCG vessel, 3 CMM vessels
- Sabina Shoal: 1 CCG vessel
- Iroquois Reef: 1 PLAN vessel
In a bilateral meeting on July 2, the Philippines and China aimed to de-escalate and manage disputes in the WPS. However, tensions remain high amid China’s extensive claims over the South China Sea, including the area referred to by the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea. The South China Sea is a vital waterway for more than $3 trillion in annual maritime commerce.
Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping territorial claims with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei in the region. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claims in the South China Sea had “no legal basis.” However, China does not recognize this decision.