The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Tuesday that the number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has risen to 122.
Breakdown of Chinese Vessels:
- Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMM): 106
- China Coast Guard (CCG) Ships: 12
- People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Ships: 3
“From the period July 30 to August 5, 2024, the total Chinese vessels in the area are 122,” said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla during a press conference.
Distribution by Location:
- Bajo de Masinloc: 3 CCGs, 6 CMMs, 1 PLAN
- Ayungin Shoal: 5 CCGs, 8 CMMs
- Pag-asa Islands: 1 CCG, 37 CMMs
- Kota Island: 2 CMMs
- Lawak Island: 1 CCG, 4 CMMs
- Panata Island: 2 PLANs, 3 CMMs
- Patag Island: 1 CCG
- Escoda Shoal: 1 CCG, 12 CMMs, 1 Chinese research vessel
- Julian Felipe Reef: 4 CMMs
- Rozul Reef (Iroquois Reef): 30 CMMs
The number of Chinese vessels has increased from 104 recorded the previous week.
Chinese Research Vessel in Escoda:
Former U.S. Air Force official Ray Powell reported that the Chinese research vessel Ke Xue San Hao has been surveying around Escoda Shoal since July 25. The vessel was located 40 nautical miles off Palawan.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad noted that the Chinese survey ship did not request permission to conduct marine scientific research. “We have checked with the [Department of Foreign Affairs], no request to conduct marine scientific research,” he stated.
Escoda Shoal, or Sabina Shoal, is 75 nautical miles off Palawan and within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
PCG Stationed at Escoda Shoal:
The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed at Escoda Shoal since April amid reports of China’s reclamation activities. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, mentioned that the Chinese research vessel has shown irregular Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions while navigating in the northern part of Escoda Shoal.
The Ke Xue San Hao is equipped with advanced technology for comprehensive marine environment observation, detection, sampling, and analysis.
Background:
China has extensive claims in the South China Sea, overlapping with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claims had “no legal basis.” China has rejected the ruling.